Fun with Fungi...

[RugerTrailer]

Nice report, been a mushroom hunter for years. We get Kings, Hedghogs, Sulfers (chiken of the woods) and Morels up in my neck of the woods. I also grow my own Oysters from spawn in log tubes.

:REOutCampFire03:

Thanks. I've been to AK and it seems like an excellent place to look for mushrooms !

 

[pmatusov]

Awesome! We've collected wild mushrooms in Colorado and Utah at 9-10 thousand feet, and have always been met with curious looks at best.
In a company of seasoned Russian mushroom hunters, you're safe

 

[RugerTrailer]

Awesome! We've collected wild mushrooms in Colorado and Utah at 9-10 thousand feet, and have always been met with curious looks at best.
In a company of seasoned Russian mushroom hunters, you're safe

Ya that seems to be the prime elevation for the big kings. We found alot of small ones that turned out to be great pickled too. And once again the russians know their mushrooms, no doubt !

The mushroom hobby really does get curious and questionable looks and alot of question. Haha

 

[Kiwi-Yank]

great trip report - thanks!!
two things ...
1. that photo of the high alpine lake is very beautiful. did you stop and do some swimming - the water looks terrific. yeah I know it's freezing. but then ... so what?!
2. can you educate me about the mushrooms you consider safe. I usually avoid wild exotic fungi that roam the backcountry. I think you know why. so what ID characteristics do you use to assure yourself you've got the right mushroom and not an imposter?
cheers, K-Y

 

[RugerTrailer]

great trip report - thanks!!
two things ...
1. that photo of the high alpine lake is very beautiful. did you stop and do some swimming - the water looks terrific. yeah I know it's freezing. but then ... so what?!

2. can you educate me about the mushrooms you consider safe. I usually avoid wild exotic fungi that roam the backcountry. I think you know why. so what ID characteristics do you use to assure yourself you've got the right mushroom and not an imposter?
cheers, K-Y

Glad you liked the report. I though it was a little out of the norm an worth sharing.

I have dipped in that lake before...this trip the outside temps weren't high enough for me to jump in. haha

Mushrooms I consider safe are ones that someone has shown me are edible. I am usually looking for the bolete family because I know them and they are familiar to me. Characteristics for kings...Spongy spores (yellowish or white), brownish or yellow caps and thick stems. I usually steer clear of the exotic ones and pick what I know.

 

[monk]

Good online resource here:

http://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Boletus_edulis.html

Monk

 

[RugerTrailer]

Good online resource here:

http://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Boletus_edulis.html

Monk

Great resource !