Cornice collapse - near miss - above Oneida Lake.

Cornice Collapse on east facing cliff.  Human triggered.  Skinning up ridge to peak to west of Lake Oneida, skier gained ridgetop and narrow ribbon of snow on ridgetop.  After a short distance traversing along ridgetop on this narrow ribbon of snow, the snow collapsed from under his feet.  Luckily he was able to grab hold of the underlying rocky cliff edge that it turned out he was skinning just over the edge of.  He was left hanging for dear life by his arms with the rest of his body hanging down the side of a gnarled cliff face, while a several ton cornice tumbled violently down the cliffs and slopes below him.  He was able to pull himself back on to the ridge.  He was extremely lucky.  Had he been another 6" farther over when the cornice collapsed, he likely would not have been able to arrest his fall and extremely serious injury or worse would have resulted.   See attached photo and notice the location of the skin track,
   Give very wide berths to edges of ridges when you are not CERTAIN that cornices don't exist.  This is always important, but especially so at this time of year when warm temperatures and solar radiation weaken overhanging cornices.  Also, beware of traveling underneigh such cornices, as they can break off naturally as well.