Southern San Juan

Record-breaking warm temperatures will rapidly destabilize the snowpack, increasing the risk of wet avalanches. If you find yourself out in the mountains too late in the day, you will likely be able to trigger a loose wet avalanche that gains mass as it slides, and potentially steps down, triggering a larger wet slab avalanche. You should track how the snowpack is softening throughout your time in the backcountry by frequently stepping out of your bindings or off your mode of travel. If you sink into wet snow above your boot top, it's time to move to a shady or lower-angled slope.

Early timing will be crucial for safe travel in the coming days. Start and end your day earlier as temperatures climb, and quickly move off steep slopes, or head for home, as snow rapidly warms.