Northern San Juan

A fatal avalanche near Ophir late on Monday tragically illustrates the kind of dangerous avalanche you can trigger. The most suspect slopes are steeper than about 35 degrees.

You can trigger an avalanche from a distance and from below on lower-angle slopes. Small avalanches are more dangerous if you trigger one around terrain traps like thick trees, gullies, or road cuts. Know the terrain around you, avoid terrain traps, and give steep slopes a wide buffer. Don't get lulled into a false sense of security if you see fewer signs of cracking or collapsing.