Southern San Juan

The most problematic areas are wind-loaded slopes near and above treeline where you find more than about 8 inches of drifted snow. You may find deeper, wind-drifted areas that span multiple terrain features on northerly and easterly-facing slopes capable of producing a wider breaking avalanche. Most slides will break in recent storm layers, but in large alpine features, some may break deeper and in surprising ways, and travel farther than usual. If you see evidence of drifting like lens-shaped pillows of snow, avoid traveling beneath ridgelines and cornices, or above terrain trap where a smaller avalanche could magnify the consequences of getting caught. Choose wind-sheltered slopes around 30 degrees, without steeper terrain overhead, for safer options.

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