Steamboat & Flat Tops

You can easily trigger an avalanche where intense westerly winds drifted snow about 3 feet deep or more on steep leeward slopes at all elevations. Avalanches in the most recent snow could easily be large enough to bury you. Look for and avoid steep drifted slopes below ridges, in gullies, or behind convex rollovers. Don't forget steep open chutes in the trees or wind-affected grassy slopes at lower elevations are also suspect. If you see cracks shooting out in front of you in the snow or hear audible collapses, avoid steep slopes. Make conservative terrain choices and don't travel on or below slopes less than about 35 degrees.