Avalanches

The snow in the San Juan Mountains is some of the most dangerous in the world. The three
variables in avalanche dangers are snow pack, terrain and weather. The latter two sets the San Juan’s apart from a lot of the mountain ranges in the world. Avalanches are caused by an unstablelayer of powder on top of a really icy layer, this condition is completely influenced by weather and terrain. Because the area is so susceptible to avalanches, it is the duty of the people of the San Juan’s to know and understand avalanches.
The terrain in the san Juan's is different from other mountains in that it is very steep, all that is needed for an to erupt is a 38 degrees, nearly every slope in the San Juan's is at least that steep. The mountains are also full of cliffs and ledges, at the bottom of which avalanches often begin. Because there are no rockless powder fields any where the snow can't hold itself together.
The weather is also a huge factor in snow pack and avalanches. Because the San Juan's are such a bright and sunny place, the top layer of the snow often melts; then at night it gets extremely cold. The product of this is a small frozen layer of snow. When it snows the next time it buries that layer under white fluff, an avalanche waiting to happen. The snow is so light, if disturbed, it slides right off the ice layer.
When sunshine and steep terrain mix, they create a waiting-to-happen avalanche. When out in the mountains know what conditions make avalanches. Be aware and prepared, avalanches will kill!