Cornice collapse on castle peak

We collapsed a large east facing cornice with only a gentle pole whack this morning. We could could see cracks from the cornice beginning to separate but were startled at how easily it broke. Probably not enough snow to bury someone but enough to get very hurt. The cornice had formed prior to the most recent storm and other ones we kicked at on more northerly aspects were still quite firm. 
 

The collapse did not entrain any additional snow but ran 300 feet with one washing machine size chunk running 400 feet whcih clobbered a couple trees.