Northern San Juan

You can trigger a dangerous avalanche on steep wind-drifted slopes where recent westerly winds have deposited snow into thick slabs. Near and above-treeline easterly slopes are the most dangerous areas. Look for and avoid terrain with evidence of wind-drifting, such as slopes beneath cornices, gully features, areas below ridgelines, or where you encounter sculpted features or stiff surface conditions. Slides which you trigger in a surface layer could break into deeper weak layers and become larger, more dangerous avalanches. Stick to slopes less than about thirty five degrees or below-treeline areas for safer choices.

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