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other food sources above 10,500?
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 6:33 pm
by jallen
Anyone have any expertise in identifying food sources (besides fish) in the eastern sierras above 10,500? I'll be heading up the Piute Pass trail, then over to l. deso, or tomohawk, or mesa... not sure yet. Anywho... we thought it would be fun to scrounge up some backcountry morsels as sort of a fun competetion. I'm familiar with wild onions, dandelions, and some mushrooms, but other than that I don't have much experience. Is there anything available at that location and elevation? Thanks for the help.
Re: other food sources above 10,500?
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 6:50 pm
by rlown
Mushrooms are probably gone by now. Not sure about the other ingredients you mention as I didn't see them there. You might find the onions near the lakes, but we didn't smell the smell, so to speak, and we carry our own onions.
EDIT: there is "miners lettuce" up there. I ate that as i traveled the path.
Do you like Lichen soup? I've never tried it. They're everywhere.
Russ
Re: other food sources above 10,500?
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 4:15 pm
by walkdawg
The rolled up tips of ferns are edible but the leaves themselves are toxic. I have eaten them myself. They don't have much flavor.
DISCLAIMER: BE VERY SURE OF WHAT YOU ARE EATING. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. "Survivor Man" Les Stroud said that there is some plant growing in the Sierra that looks just like Onion but is toxic. Onions smell like Onions. If it doesn't smell like an Onion, don't eat it.
Re: other food sources above 10,500?
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:17 pm
by rlown
There is this book, circa 1976 from Wilderness Press and probably a newer copy out there:
Wild Food 001.JPG
Even though the book doesn't explicitly call out the Sego Lilly, I know they are in the Barney Lk area that leads up to Peeler Lk. Even Morels there but I think that season has come to a close with the lack of snow this year.
I didn't see any sign on the way up Piute pass, but I go in Sept and there wouldn't be any flowers or shrooms available at that time.
Russ
Re: Backcountry morsels
Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 12:40 pm
by Ikan Mas
Not a heck of a lot of vegetation over 10.5 and I think the pickins are slim, aside from fish.
Re: Backcountry morsels
Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 5:01 pm
by maverick
These may be of some help on this topic:
http://www.amazon.com/Foragers-Harvest- ... ild+plants" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Wild-Flower ... 1556523440" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: other food sources above 10,500?
Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:31 pm
by jallen
walkdawg wrote:The rolled up tips of ferns are edible but the leaves themselves are toxic. I have eaten them myself. They don't have much flavor.
DISCLAIMER: BE VERY SURE OF WHAT YOU ARE EATING. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. "Survivor Man" Les Stroud said that there is some plant growing in the Sierra that looks just like Onion but is toxic. Onions smell like Onions. If it doesn't smell like an Onion, don't eat it.
Walkdawg- thanks for the tip on onions. Never knew that. Thanks to everyone else as well. I know there's not much to choose from but we'll do the best we can.