Northern San Juan

The most dangerous areas are deep, stiff snow drifts at upper elevations that sit on old, weaker snow below. Wind-drifted snow is found below ridgelines, in gullies, and cross-loaded terrain. As the snow surface warms, areas of drifted snow may become more prime for triggering. Avoid traveling on stiff, hollow snowdrifts on slopes steeper than 35 degrees.

As the snow surface warms, your ability to trigger an avalanche at lower elevations increases. Loose avalanches could gouge into older snow and gain mass as they travel downhill. If you sink into wet snow above your boot tops, see small loose slides on sunny slopes, or start glopping, retreat to shady or lower-angle slopes.