Southern San Juan

Strong winds drifted over a foot of recent snowfall onto leeward slopes at upper elevations. You could trigger an avalanche in the drifted snow. To avoid this problem, avoid drifted features on steep slopes that look pillowy or feel stiff, especially if you observe instabilities like cracking in the recent snow.

You can find safer travel in wind-sheltered areas or on slopes less than about 35 degrees steep.