Sangre de Cristo

You can trigger a dangerous avalanche which breaks on weak layers buried two to four feet deep. The most problematic areas are near and above-treeline slopes facing north though east to south, where wind-drifted storm snows form a cohesive slab above weaker layers below. Look for and avoid slopes with evidence of wind-drifting, such as fresh cornice growth, smooth, pillowed features or stiff surface textures. Avalanches which you trigger in a surface layer may break into weak layers deeper in the snowpack, creating a more dangerous slide. Slopes less than about thirty degrees without steep terrain above offer safer options.