Southern San Juan

Most slopes are free from dangerous avalanches. However, you may be able to trigger a small loose avalanche. On shady, steep, and sheltered slopes, the snowpack continues to weaken, making it easier to trigger a loose avalanche in weak cohesionless snow. On sunny slopes, loose avalanches are possible as the snow surface begins to melt due to warm temperatures, sun, and calm winds.

Avoid these problems by avoiding steep shady slopes with cohesionless snow and slopes that hold wet, sloppy snow in the afternoon.