Sangre de Cristo

You can trigger an avalanche on any steep slope where you find a cohesive slab resting on weak snow near the ground. The most dangerous slopes face north, northeast, and east near and above the treeline. Identify and avoid wind-loaded terrain features such as the lee side of a ridge or inside a gully or couloir where the surface snow appears smooth and rounded and has a hollow feeling if you are traveling over it. If you experience shooting cracks or collapsing in the snow consider moving to a different slope or staying on low-angle terrain with no steep slopes above you. Safer travel options exist in wind-sheltered, low-elevation terrain.