Grand Mesa

You can trigger a wet avalanche on most low-elevation slopes, especially if new snow insulates a wet surface. Avoid traveling on or below steep slopes with wet snow. Slides in wet snow can easily break down to the ground. Clear indicators of wet, unstable snow are if you sink past your ankles below the old snow surface or if you can squeeze water out of a snowball.

On upper-elevation slopes, you can trigger an avalanche where westerly winds drift snow into lens-shaped pillows. Avoid these pillows below steep ridgelines, rollovers, and on the sides of gully features. If you notice cracking or collapsing in the new snow, move to sheltered slopes less than about 35 degrees. If you are on a ridgeline give cornice features a wide berth and avoid traveling beneath them.