Day 8 and a wake up

The group is dwindling as folks head back to the real world from the winter paradise that is Ouray. Today there were only four of us left in the morning.  Well, actually, there were only three functioning climbers, Vince being hors de combat after re-discovering the fact that gravity applies to ski slopes as well as ice flows.  Oh, did I mention that it snowed? Holy moly, Batman! We got another eight inches to a foot in town overnight, on top of what had fallen Monday. The temperature, which had been in the balmy 30s and even 40s all trip so far, dropped to a more seasonable 10f where it stayed all day 'till settling in at 6f. 

Ted whipping the walking areas into shape after the big one!	Last day of climbing in a winter wonderland.
Vincent on Flaminco days prior	Vincent on Dunce: a propos
What we really came to Ouray for: the Back Street Bistro

Mark, and Ryan got a lazy start and headed out at about 0930, ending up in the Schoolroom where we set up a rope that allowed us to climb Teacher's Pet and Report Card, both stiffish WI3s. We had each run a lap when what to our wondering eyes should appear but a miniature sleigh and Ross Downer, who had got stuck in Montrose yesterday due to the snowstorm.  We pretty much exhausted the possibilities of the lines we'd roped when the guide next to us, Danika Gilbert, offered us her rope on Recess (WI4) so we all had a run at that. We then dropped a rope over Rooster's Roost.  All in all, a really good day. John achieved his goal for the trip of climbing over a kilometer of ice! Yes, he's totally spent. 

We capped the day off with dinner at the Back Street Bistro. Oh, my.  Vince and John fly home tomorrow (DC weather permitting) so we leave Ross Downer, Mark "the beast" Elton and Ryan Shauers here to carry the PATC banner in the Ice Park.

 - John Smith