Sangre de Cristo

A few inches of new snow and strong westerly winds increase your chances of triggering an avalanche above treeline in wind-drifted snow. Look for and avoid pockets of wind-drifted snow on northeast, east, and southeast-facing slopes, especially below ridgelines and in cross-loaded terrain features. Wind drifts look pillowy or lens-shaped and can sound hollow underneath you. If you experience cracking or collapsing in wind-stiffened snow, seek safer travel on lower-elevation wind-sheltered slopes.