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Why do cornices form?
A cornice is an overhanging ledge or shelf of snow that usually forms over the lee side of ridges. A cornice forms as loose snow is transported over a ridge, where it collects and grows. Cornices have an unstable structure and they grow more unstable with loading or warming.
Are cornices dangerous?
Cornices are extremely dangerous and travelling above or below them should be avoided. In avalanche safety, cornices are a high avalanche danger as they often break and trigger larger avalanches that permeate several snow layers. Cornices are particularly vulnerable to collapse during periods of solar warming.
What is a cornice in construction?
cornice, in architecture, the decorated projection at the top of a wall provided to protect the wall face or to ornament and finish the eaves. The term is used as well for any projecting element that crowns an architectural feature, such as a doorway.
What is a cornice collapse?
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side.
How do you spot a cornice?
Cornice hazards are fairly easy to spot from below and from the side, so it should be easy enough to avoid travelling uphill in their potential slide paths. When travelling on a ridge, however, they can be much harder to pinpoint. Remember, cornices form on lee slopes and lee side of terrain features.
What is a fluting on a mountain?
Word of the day: “fluting” – graceful vertical grooves of ice marking steep mountain faces, typically formed by action of sun and meltwater.
What are roof cornices?
Cornice is just a fancy word for the eaves detail at the edge of a building where the roof meets the walls, and on most houses, it includes the soffit and the fascia. With a crown-molding cornice, a decorative layer of crown molding is added to the fascia, and the roof extends to meet the upper corner of the crown.
Where is cornice located in a house?
A cornice is decorative architectural trim located at the top of a wall near a roof or ceiling. The idea of a cornice comes from Greek architecture, where it was the top part of the entablature, the horizontal area above the columns and below the roof.
What is an ice cornice?
A mass of snow deposited by the wind, often overhanging, and usually near a sharp terrain break such as a ridge. Cornices can break off unexpectedly and should be approached with caution. Cornice Fall Avalanches: Cornices have a very nasty habit of breaking farther back than you expect. …
How do you ski off a cornice?
How to… Ski Off Cliff Drops & Cornices
- Select the right drop. If this is your first drop, start small.
- Mark your take off spot. Make sure you also mark your take off: either by a rock, some visible grass – or you can mark the spot with your pole before you go.
- Control your speed.
- For balance, Pop!
- Nail the landing.
What is overhanging snow called?
One of the recurring themes in British Columbian backcountry advisories this season is cornices. These aesthetic but often hazardous snow structures are formed by wind drifting snow onto the downwind side of an obstacle, such as a ridgeline or precipice.