Sawatch

You can trigger a dangerous avalanche on any steep slope where you find a cohesive slab of snow resting on weak snow near the ground. Throughout the Sawatch Range, the Frying Pan, and the Holy Cross Wilderness the most dangerous areas are near the treeline, where the snowpack is deeper and the slabs are thicker. This combination exists on most aspects and above the treeline on wind-loaded terrain features such as the lee side of a ridge. You can trigger an avalanche from below a slope and from a distance and they may break wider than you expect so give steep slopes of concern a wide margin. Safer travel options exist on wind-sheltered slopes below the treeline.