Sawatch

The most dangerous areas are where you find multiple layers of thick, wind-drifted snow on steep slopes facing north and east directions. On large north-facing avalanche paths, any avalanche you trigger could step down to deep weak layers and grow much larger, taking most if not all of the season's snowpack down the mountain. Safer travel options exist on wind-sheltered slopes at lower elevations and on low-angle terrain without steep slopes overhead.