Snow cornice Snow cornice A snow cornice or simply cornice (from the Italian cornice meaning "ledge") is an overhanging edge of snow on a ridge or the crest of a mountain and along the sides of gullies. They form by wind blowing snow over sharp terrain breaks (e.g. the crest of the mountain) where it attaches and builds out horizontally. This build-up is most common on the steeper and leeward sides of mountains. Cornices are extremely dangerous and travelling above or below them should be avoided. When a cornice "collapses", it breaks in from the cornice to the top of the peak;
Nescopeck Mountain flows through this valley. The valley is long and wide. Some streams on the ridge are part of the Lehigh River watershed. A stream known as Scotch Run flows through a valley with Nescopeck Mountain on its northern edge. Nescopeck Mountain forms a water gap with Catawissa Mountain. Catawissa Creek cuts through this water gap. There is also a water gap carved by Nescopeck Creek through Nescopeck Mountain. Both of these water gaps are relatively narrow. The mountain serves as part of the dividing line between the Susquehanna River and the Lehigh River watersheds. For some distance, the ridge runs