Southern San Juan

You can trigger a large and dangerous avalanche on any steep slope where recent storm snow forms a cohesive layer above softer snow below. The most dangerous areas are near and above-treeline slopes where wind-drifted snow forms thicker surface slabs. Look for and avoid slopes with large cornices above them or with evidence of recent wind drifting such as smooth pillows of snow, stiff surface conditions, or sculpted surface textures. Avalanches which you trigger in a surface layer could step down into deeper weak layers, creating a much larger and more dangerous slide. Retreat to less-steep slopes if you experience obvious signs of instability such as cracking and audible collapse, but do not rely upon these signs to be present. Slopes less than about thirty degrees without steep slopes above offer safer options.