Steamboat & Flat Tops

You can trigger an avalanche on most aspects and elevations. Signs of instability like cracking and collapsing are diminishing, and the first sign of instability you get may be the avalanche you trigger. You are most likely to trigger an avalanche from shallower areas of the slope close to trees and rocks or on convex rollovers. These areas may be at the bottom of a slope or a distance away. Careful planning and route finding is essential. You can find safer travel by avoiding runouts and slopes steeper than about 30 degrees.