Northern San Juan

You can trigger an avalanche that breaks on weak layers near the ground as well as within the new snow. Strong winds are drifting new snow on northeast to east through southeast aspects. Watch for and avoid wind-drifted areas near ridge crests, on the sides of gullies, and on steep rollovers. Wind pillows can be identified by their bulbous, lens shape appearance. Avalanches breaking on deeper layers are harder for you to trigger, but if you do, avalanches will grow in size quickly and will be large enough to bury or kill you. Shooting cracks and audible collapses are signs you should move to slopes less than about 30 degrees.