Cloud break at Heartbreak

Visibility at Corbin Pass was less than ideal this morning, keeping us out of avalanche terrain while we couldn't see overhead hazard or avoid areas where the snowpack was rocky and thin. The freshly groomed trail in helped to ease the disappointment. We dug at Raingauge, on a north aspect at 2000 m and had no results on any of our stability tests (CTN, ECTX, DTN). The December rain crust was supportive at this location, buried 40cm deep under wind affected snow, and the November facets are buried 75cm deep. The persistent problem is still on our radar and guiding our terrain choices, but the signs of stability we have found this week are encouraging. The clouds cleared as we sledded over for a look at Heartbreak, showing wind affected slopes but no recent avalanche activity.