Sangre de Cristo

You are most likely to trigger a dangerous avalanche on wind-loaded slopes at upper elevations. Strong easterly winds during the last storm drifted thick slabs on some unusual, westerly-facing slopes. Avalanches on wind-loaded slopes can break wider than you anticipate and step down into weak snow layers at the bottom of the snowpack. Avoid areas beneath ridgelines, cornices, and gullies with smooth, rounded pillows, or where the snow feels hard underfoot. Move to lower-angle or wind-sheltered slopes if you see cracking in the snow or hear rumbling collapses. Slopes less than about thirty degrees steepness offer safer options.