Sangre de Cristo

You can trigger an avalanche which breaks on weak layers in the middle or bottom of the snowpack. The most dangerous areas are slopes facing north through east to southeast near and above treeline, where recent winds deposited stiff slabs of drifted snow above weaker layers below. Look for and avoid areas with signs of recent wind-drifting, such as sculpted or smooth features, stiff or cracking surface snow, or slopes beneath cornices. Use caution in area with less than about four feet of snow cover where you are able to find weak or sugary snow near the ground. If you experience rollerballs, moist or cohesionless snow on lower-elevation or sunny slopes, retreat to less-steep terrain. Slopes less than about thirty degrees without steep slopes overhead offer safer options.