Southern San Juan

Thick, cohesive slabs of snow teetering on weak, collapsible snow layers makes it easy to trigger a dangerous avalanche on, below, or adjacent to slopes steeper than about 30 degrees - especially near treeline. On Friday, skiers near Wolf Creek Pass triggered a large avalanche on a steep, near treeline slope, and fortunately were able to out run the debris. Avalanches triggered from lower-angled terrain below steeper slopes or a large avalanche path could propagate uphill creating a broader, more destructive slide. Avalanches on wind-loaded, easterly-facing slope may provoke a deeper failure three to four feet deep that will be much more difficult to escape.

Adjust you’re travels to low-angled slopes if you observe cracking, hear audible collapses, or see recent avalanches on slopes similar to those you plan to ride. Smaller avalanches can turn into bigger problems if you get swept over a cliff, pushed through dense trees, or stuffed in a terrain trap.