North to Alaska Foray 2016 (by Bill White)

Join Bill and Jerri White at their Alaska Sports Lodge for the highly popular Alaska Foray. The dates this year are August 27 – September 3. 

Why?

Beautiful scenery, wildlife, fresh seafood and mushrooms! Edibles often found include Boletes, Gypsies, Hedgehogs, Lactarius deliciosus, and Alaska Gold, Phaeolepiota aurea. Fungal diversity can be astonishing, with some forays yielding over 200 species.

Read about our 2015 foray adventures.

Some folks may want to fish for Silver salmon. Bill can arrange guide service at $165 per person for a 1/2 day trip (including gear, bait and lures). The limit is two per day per person and does require a fishing license. You can purchase a one-day, three-day or a one week license locally there. The lodge has a commercial vacuum machine and freezers, so the fish can be boxed in insulated containers and checked as luggage. For those interested in Razor clams, there is a good possibility that collecting will be closed this year due to diminished population. The Whites also put on a potluck (or two) to try some of the ‘shrooms we have found. 

Accommodations

The lodge has three cabins that will sleep at least four adults in single beds (one bedroom downstairs and a very large loft upstairs). Each cabin has a bathroom with shower, a kitchen with microwave, coffee maker gas stove and a full size refrigerator. The cabins are fully equipped with bedding, kitchen utensils and dishes. The sitting area includes a small couch that makes out into a single bed if needed. Expect to share the cabin with other fungiphiles, as cabins are booked four to each cabin. Laundry facilities are located within a mile of the lodge where you may do laundry or leave the clothes for them to do for you. Groceries, hardware, outdoor gear and more recreational shopping can be found nearby. In case you wondered, the stores carry an excellent selection of wines and spirits including some great microbrews.

Expect some rain and cool weather at this time of the year, so come prepared. Bugs should not be a problem this late in the season. There will be at least three forays, including a trip to Seward that usually incorporates a late lunch or early dinner. A visit to the ancient Exit glacier is also planned. Bill and Jerri know the most spectacular photo opportunities for the group, too. There are six dehydrators for use at the lodge and they are usually very busy during foray season. Some folks order their own dehydrators and have them shipped to the lodge (they take them home on the plane). 

The cost for lodging this year is $35 per person, per day, with everyone expecting to share a cabin. Guests will prepare their own meals in their cabins. We will limit the number of folks attending, so make your plans early and secure your spot with a deposit of $100. Many folks have asked to extend the foray so they can do more tourist things and use the lodge as their base camp. This is possible with arrangements made with Bill.

Make checks to:
Bill White
455 Lockwood Lane 
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Local: 831.439.8473
Lodge: 907.260.8454, 800.662.9672
Lodge calls forward to Bill’s cell phone. He can accept Visa or MasterCard as well if you call him directly with the information. 

Getting Around

Consider sharing a car rental with other participants, as Alaskan car rentals are pricey. Try http://www.carrentals.com/ for better prices. Try to get an agency OFF THE AIRPORT for the best prices; they all have pickup service. It is not quite as handy but makes a big difference in price. 

In a nutshell:

Dates: August 27 – September 3
Location: Bill White’s Fishing Lodge, Sterling Alaska
Website: http://alaskasportslodge.com/
Cost: $35 per person per day
Contact: Bill White, 831.439.8473 or 907.260.8454

Further details about what to bring, interesting attractions and directions to the lodge can be found in this document.