Northern San Juan

You could trigger an avalanche in wind-drifted snow at upper elevations. The most dangerous slopes face west to north through east, where winds form deeper slabs on lee slopes and in cross-loaded terrain. Some of these slopes also carry weak layers that remain preserved in the snowpack. Although increasingly stubborn to trigger, recent observations indicate these weak layers can still be impacted by humans.

Look for cracking in the snow surface as a sign of instability. The most dangerous slopes will hold more than about 8 inches of wind-stiffened snow. For safer travel, seek out wind-sheltered terrain at lower elevations.