Sangre de Cristo

If you find a shallow spot on a steep slope, you can trigger an avalanche that breaks on weak layers in the top meter of the snowpack. The most likely slopes to find a shallow trigger point are where there was very little snow before the big upslope storm from a week ago. Assess the slopes you plan to travel and identify and avoid shallow trigger points.

Loose wet avalanches are not out of the question in the afternoon. Avoid traveling on or under slopes where you observe rollerballs, pinwheels, or fan-like point releases.