Several Recent Avalanches at Lionhead

We rode into Lionhead with the USGS and USFS snow chemistry, hydrology and soil science teams. At the top of Ski Hill we dug a snow pit and in stability tests we got an ECPT27, that failed on weak snow near the ground. 
From here we rode to Motor Hill via Denny Creek. While crossing below Lionhead Ridge we saw an avalanche in Airplane Bowl that likely happened a few days ago. This avalanche broke 12” deep and 100’ wide. 
Above Motor Hill we dug another snow pit on an easterly aspect at 8600’. We had unremarkable test scores of ECTX (twice) and a PST 63/100 end. We saw a similarly poor structure as our previous pit, with weak sugary snow low in the snowpack. 
This morning with better visibility we stopped at the Hebgin pull out and were able to see 3 recent avalanches along Lionhead Ridge that were likely the result of recent wind blown snow. 

Our snow pit results above and the lack of deep avalanche activity were encouraging and initiating failure is becoming more difficult. This will change with incoming snow and wind so expect the avalanche danger to increase. This storm will hopefully test the snowpack and we are curious to see if it results in widespread avalanches or is able to support the new and wind drifted snow.