Southern San Juan

New snow and winds drifting snow is adding stress to weak, collapsible snow layers in the top meter of the snowpack. The most dangerous slopes are steeper than about 30 degrees with around 10 inches of new or drifted snow. Avalanches triggered on a wind-loaded easterly slopes can break wider than you expect, above you, and be more difficult to escape. Places where the snowpack is less than about three feet deep below cliffs, close to rock outcrops, and near ridgelines increase your chance to trigger a deeply breaking, more destructive slide. Make conservative terrain choices and place extra room between you and steeper slopes or large avalanche paths. Adjust your travels to low-angled slopes if you see signs of unstable snow like shooting cracks, audible collapses or recent avalanche activity on similar slopes.