As the winter rages on and ridges and summits are exposed to snow filled winds, cornices grow. These cornices can be small, just a simple wind lip, or they can grow to be massive overhangs larger than a school bus. These cornices can break unexpectedly, sometimes from a distance, pulling back further than one might think and catching people by surprise.
Falling cornices can also trigger slab avalanches on the slopes below. Travel on corniced ridge lines should be done with extreme caution, with a wide berth given to cornices or unknown edges. When a cornice falls, it can be quite devastating to people on them. Fortunately this winter hiker wound up okay after this pretty terrifying cornice fall.
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, cornices should never be trusted. Added weight can release the snow, and even small cornice falls can lead to some devastating consequences. If necessary, probes can be used to confirm the existence of ground underneath snow. Areas below cornices should be avoided as well, as small falls can trigger large avalanches.