Southern San Juan

Northerly and east-facing slopes near and above treeline are the most dangerous. Look for and avoid areas where you find a hollow-sounding snow surface or drifts eight inches or more thick. If you encounter shooting cracks or collapsing move to lower-angle terrain without overhead hazard. Avalanches in the drifted snow will likely step down to the ground and could be large enough to injure or bury you. You can trigger avalanches from a distance or below, so give steep slopes a wide buffer.

Southerly-facing slopes, areas sheltered from the wind, and lower-angled slopes without overhead hazards offer safer travel options.