Southern San Juan

It is becoming more difficult to trigger a large and dangerous avalanche with each passing day of dry weather. The more suspect slopes are near and above treeline, steeper than around 35 degrees, and face west to north through east. Avalanches will be larger on north through east-facing slopes that have deeper snow and more connected snow coverage.  You are more likely to trigger an avalanche where you find wind-drifted terrain features, near exposed rocks or where you find softer snow transition to harder snow. Dangerous wind-drifted features have a smooth pillow-like appearance or feel hard and sound hollow. Shooting cracks or audible collapses are clear signs of unstable snow. Slopes below treeline without steep slopes of connected snow overhead provide safer travel options.