Sangre de Cristo

You can trigger an avalanche on slopes where storm snow has settled into a cohesive slab above weaker layers near the ground. The most dangerous areas are upper-elevation north and east-facing slopes where winds drifted storm snow into a stiff surface layer, but use caution on upper-elevation slopes facing west and northwest, where storm snow sits above weak snow near the ground. Avoid terrain beneath cornices or where you see sculpted features or smooth, lens-like pillows. Retreat to more wind-sheltered areas or less-steep terrain if you encounter cracking or audible collapsing. Slopes less than about thirty degrees without steep terrain above provide safer options.