The Ben Woo Memorial All Sound Foray is an opportunity for all Western Washington mycological societies to get together, socialize and forage in a beautiful old growth forest setting hosted by the Puget Sound Mycological Society. It is being held from Friday dinner October 21 through Sunday breakfast October 23 at Black Diamond Camp near Mt. Rainer. The facility is about 30 miles east of Enumclaw just off Route 410 near the Crystal Mountain Ski Area turn off. There is abundant mushroom habitat surrounding the camp as well as sites accessible by car just a short drive away.
We will be celebrating the life and work of notable mycologist and PSMS charter member Ben Woo whose contributions helped us better understand the Russula genus and mushrooming in general. We extend an invitation to all Western Washington Mycological societies and other nature groups to join us in this event.
The cost for the retreat is $165.00 per individual (no refunds). Registration and payment must be done online and paid for via PayPal or credit card (no checks). The fee includes 2 nights’ accommodations in a dormitory style setting and 5 meals. Unfortunately the facility can’t provide vegetarian main course options. Saturday will be a sack lunch to take into the field. Linens will be provided which will include 2 sheets, a blanket and a bath towel and hand towel. However this does not include a pillow or extra blankets so please bring your own pillow and maybe an extra blanket or sleeping bag if desired. Also provided are maps to mushroom foraging locations and any necessary permits. There will be several organized full and half day forays, three outstanding presentations, mushroom tasting and a mushroom dyeing workshop. There will be an additional charge to participate in the dye workshop of $30.00.
Check in begins at 3:00 p.m. Friday afternoon. Friday evening starts with dinner and then a short presentation by Daniel Winkler followed by fungal themed movies and popcorn. Saturday there will be many activates including full and half day guided forays, a mushroom dyeing workshop conducted by Erin and Brady Raymond including a foray specifically oriented to the collection of dye mushrooms to be used in the workshop. Reba Tam will be cooking up yummy mushroom recipes for everyone’s tasting pleasure Saturday afternoon. Saturday after dinner we will hear presentations from our own P.S.M.S member, Danny Miller, and from the prominent mycologist Jonathan Frank of Southern Oregon University. Sunday morning the formal event ends with a mushroom ID table walk-through to identify and discuss specimens gathered during the event. You will still have time to spend the rest of the day mushroom hunting on your own.
Please note: Pets are not permitted on Black Diamond Camps Property or in any of the Black Diamond Camp Buildings. They request that you leave all pets at home. Seeing eye dogs and service dogs on a leash and under immediate control of their owner are allowed; however, please notify James Nowak ahead of time if this is the case.
All attendees must actually be a member of a Western Washington mycological society or nature group. Memberships will be verified.
So please join us in this exceptional event to learn more about Ben Woo and the Russulas he studied, meet new folks and gather with old friends. Space is limited to 100 foragers so avoid future regret and sign up early!
Hope to see you there!
James Nowak, Chairperson.
206-354-9015
studio@james-nowak.com