Sangre de Cristo
AvalancheMike Cooperstein · Feb 24, 2019 · Sangre de Cristo
Weather
Overcast on the east side of the Sangre de Cristo Range and Clear on the west side. No new snow temps in the mid twenties to low thirties.
Snowpack
The east side of the range is wind scoured above treeline. Easterly-facing slopes are loaded below ridges and some gullies are cross loaded. Danger seems greatest near treeline just below ridges. Most likely to trigger Wind Slab avalanches in those areas. Snowpack is still thinner than was expected. On the west side of the range there is more snow. There is evidence of multiple Persistent Slab avalanches most likely 3 to 4 days old during peak loading. The snowpack looks thin and weak. Persistent slab structure looks widespread on west and northwest aspects. The near treeline elevation band is holding the most snow and is most likely the most dangerous on the west side as well.
Avalanche
Noted one large wind slab avalanche on an east-facing slope on the east side of the Range just below a ridgeline on a lower sub-rige. Looks a day or two old. Noted multiple persistent slab avalanches on west and northwest-facing slopes near and above treeline. These avalanches look 3-4 days old and probably occurred during peak loading. The largest might be D2, but many are only D1-D1.5 in size.