Southern San Juan

Most slopes are safe from avalanches, but this does not mean small avalanches are impossible. You might trigger a small avalanche on isolated, wind-loaded slopes facing north or northeast at upper elevations. This is where hard, wind-drifted snow rest above older, weaker snow. To identify the most concerning areas of slopes, look for lens-shaped pillows of snow that commonly form adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies or couloirs. Even a small slide can be dangerous if you are pushed into natural obstacles or over a cliff.