Commonwealth Ridge

One of our party members triggered a 0.5 slide in a very small steep slope on the East aspect of Commonwealth Ridge at around 2050-2100m elevation. Well below treeline. Another similar slide was triggered in the same spot by two other members. There were some cracks that developed on a small convex slope about 100m higher as a member veered a little lower than the rest.

Lots more snowfall than forecasted, heavy-ish snow too. Our backpacks were soaking wet.

A member triggered a 0.5 slide but that didn't shake up all the weak snow. Two other members came sliding a bit out of control and triggered a similar slide as they were trying to stop at the same spot and ended up partially buried in tree wells a few meters from where we were. Slide was on a very small clear in the trees so no speed to speak of. We helped them out of the tree wells easily. Another member mentioned having triggered some cracks on a slightly larger clear that was convex about 100m higher as he went lower than the rest of us. We stayed away from big open slopes that were snow loaded (sticking to the ridge crest at treeline and above) and were definitely glad we did so.