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Glossary

Cross-loading

Credit
Raven Eye Photography

A snowmobiler sits on the debris caused by wind slab avalanches as a result of cross-loading.

Credit
Mark Bender

Cross-loaded gullies

Cross-loading is the result of wind transporting snow across a slope. During cross-loading, snow is picked up from the windward side of ribs and outcrops and is deposited in lee pockets. Cross-loading commonly contributes to wind slab formation.