Northern San Juan

You could trigger an avalanche where winds have drifted snow into cohesive slabs at upper elevations. On slopes that face northwest to north through east, winds have drifted snow into deeper slabs that sit above weaker snow below. You may trigger a larger avalanche on these slopes.

Look for and avoid areas of wind-drifted snow that look lens-shaped or have a pillowy appearance. Drifted snow is often found below ridgelines and on the sides of gullies. Cracking or collapsing in the drifted snow indicates an unstable slope and is a sign to move to lower-angled slopes sheltered from the wind.