Southern San Juan

You could trigger an avalanche in the new snow on a steep slopes. Triggering an avalanche in a wind-loaded area below a ridge, open start zone, or cross-loaded gullies could break above you or broader than you expect. Avoid slopes steeper than around 35 degrees, where you observed around 10 inches of new or drifted snow. Wind-loaded areas often look smooth or pillow-like. Adjust your travels if you notice the snow surface transition from soft to stiff or observe cracking in the snow surface. Safer travel options exist in areas protected from the wind and lower-angle slopes.