Southern San Juan

Strong, gusty winds drift new and old snow at upper elevations. You could trigger an avalanche where drifted snow forms cohesive slabs on steep slopes. The most dangerous slopes are where drifted snow stacks above shallow buried weak layers. On these slopes avalanches may break deeper and wider.

Cracking and collapsing, avalanches on similar slopes, and active wind loading are signs of instability and an indicator to move to lower-angle terrain protected from the wind.