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2 DAY RAFTING TRIP, WILD EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL PLANTS +UXU RANCH STAY

A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY WITH ETHNOBOTANIST JOHN MIONCZYNSKI

Quick Details

  • Requirements: All Participants must be able to easily get in and out of a rubber boats on uneven terrain and possess the fitness required to hike and stand for up to 2 hours at a time. All minors must be requested and accompanied by a legal guardian. If you want to bunk with another person, we suggest you book together (i.e. book for 2 instead of just yourselves, that way we can see you are together). By choosing to participate you acknowledge that you have read the disclaimer at the bottom of this page and agree

2 Day

$ 475

Day 1 features the upper section of the river in paddle rafts beginning just miles from Yellowstones East Gate. We will stop to observe and forage in several different lifezones, find and discuss plants, proper identification methods and their past and present uses. A packed lunch will be provided and enjoyed riverside. In the afternoon we will arrive at UxU ranch and get situated in our cabins, eat dinner and reconvene for discussion.

Day 2 features a delicious ranch style breakfast and packed lunch/snacks. Then we will head down river exploring more plants and area history. We expect to be off the water around 2pm and headed back to the office by 3pm. John is a wealth of pharmacopeia knowledge and you will be astounded by the amount of scientifically complex and historically accurate information he can pack into the time it takes to pick a hawthorne berry.

If you or someone you know is passionate about the useful compounds in the plants all around us, agro-forestry, regenerative agriculture, native plant food and medicine, survival foods etc this is one you do not want to miss!

John Mionczynski has worked in the Wyoming backcountry for 50 years as a wildlife biologist, technician, and outfitter, always supplementing his diet with wild foods, mostly plants. He has taught ethnobotany and edible/medicinal plant classes for The Teton Science School, Central Wyoming College, National Outdoor Leadership School, Earthknack, American Wilderness Botanicals, and the Family Practice Residency Program for medical professionals through the University of Wyoming. Currently he functions as an ethnobotanist for the group, “Restoring Shoshone Ancestral Food Gathering” on the Wind River Indian Reservation and continues to lead Natural History tours in the Red Desert and Wind River Mountain foothills. He is also co-founder of [The Native Memory Project](https://nativememoryproject.org/) which produces archival video footage of tribal elders and other native people in the west speaking of pre-reservation life ways, ancient foods, and other knowledge in danger of being lost to time.

When:

July 21st – 22nd
Day 1:
9am to 4:30pm
Day 2:
9am – 3:30pm

What to bring:

Dress in non-cotton long pants and a tee shirt. Bring a bag with a long sleeve shirt, warm layer to leave in our bus and any medication or medical devices you typically carry with you. A puff jacket for cooler evening temperatures, warm hat, rain jacket if you have one. UXU will be providing all necessary sleep gear, dinner, breakfast and bag lunches. If you require or want extra snacks bring them. A detailed packing list will be provided in your confirmation email. Please keep overnight bags small and all contents should fit in one bag.

Where:

Meet at Wyoming River Trips, 233 Yellowstone Avenue at 8:30am on July 21st. Park in the gravel lot along the back fence (drive past our boat house and port-o-potties).
What to expect:

You will be given a brief orientation in the morning to where we are going, how many stops we will be making and what items you should bring and leave at our office or in your car.

What is included:
* All guides and boating equipment, lunch, snacks and beverages day 1 and 2.
* Facilitation and discussion with John Mionczynski and access to dried plants, herbs, and resources he is bringing along
* Lunch – please make us aware of any dietary restrictions and allergies. Lunch will be select items from Sitti’s Table here in Cody and will include, snacks, beverages, a vegetarian option and a meat option.
* A notebook and pen are included.
* One night stay at UXU Ranch in shared accommodations
* All necessary sleeping things (sheets, blankets, pillows,etc) for the night.
* 2 sack lunches and snacks, 1 dinner and 1 breakfast by Chef Vincent Fiore,
* Shuttles to and from the river on day 1 and day 2 provided by WRT
* Bag drop and retrieval

Please note that we have limited space. If you want to bring a personal dry bag for your notebook and extra layers, please keep it small. Willingness to share with others is appreciated. Dry bags and waterproof phone cases are available in our office for purchase pre-trip as well.

Please Arrive 1/2 hour earlier than the departure time listed (exp. arrive at 9am if the departure time is 8:30am)

Price: $475/ person
Not included: Staff Gratuity, Beverages at the Ranch

 

Disclaimer:
The information provided on this website, in person and on social media is designed to inspire and educate readers on the traditional and modern uses of plants. We do not encourage participants to ingest any wild plant. Any plants encountered and discussed on this trip are meant for educational purposes only.

Wyoming Rivers Co-op, Wyoming River Trips, John Mionczynski and UXU Ranch as well as all associates, affiliates, partners and agents are not liable or responsible for any consequences resulting from consuming or using wild food based on the information provided here or during the trip, or that a participant hears or sees including accuracy and availability. Participants consume wild food at their own risk.

Medical advice

The information presented here and on this trip is not a substitute for consulting a professional or medical advice of any kind. For your safety, it’s best to consult with qualified experts before making any decisions or taking any actions based on the content provided here or discussed on the trip.

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription drugs, have a medical condition, or an allergy, please consult a medical practitioner or herbalist before using or ingesting any of the plants encountered or discussed on this float trip. Take precautions to ensure that the plants you choose are safe and suitable for your specific needs.

Proper Identification

Proper identification is crucial when foraging for wild food. Cross-reference multiple reliable sources and double-check for positive identification before consuming any wild food. If you’re unsure about what you’ve found, it’s best to err on the side of caution and do not eat it. Always prioritize your safety to ensure a safe and enjoyable foraging experience.

Risk assessment

Foraging for wild food always carries a risk, as some plants and mushrooms can be deadly poisonous. When in doubt about the identity or safety of a plant or mushroom, do not consume it.

Exercise caution and proper preparation. To reduce the risk of accidental poisoning, consider foraging with a knowledgeable companion. Keep samples of any wild food you collect to identify them later, in case of an adverse reaction. Always start with a small amount when trying new wild food and wait for any adverse reactions.

Adverse reactions

Recognize that everyone’s body reacts differently to different types of food. Some people may have adverse reactions or sensitivities to certain plants or plant foods, including wild plants and mushrooms.

Basic hygiene

Avoid picking from contaminated areas like high-traffic roads, industrial estates, and dog-walking areas. Watch out for pesticides, pollution, and animal urine. Thoroughly wash your foraged food with water and vinegar before eating to minimize the risk of consuming harmful substances.

Foraging sustainability

The plants and fungi you harvest play an essential role in the ecosystem. To protect wildlife and ensure future growth, be sure to leave enough flowers and fruit behind and allow plenty of seeds to remain for the next year. Never pick a large amount of fungi for ID purposes only, as this can be a wasteful and unsustainable practice. Always leave nature as you found.

If you are participating in this float, you agree to follow the protocols above, to participate at your own risk, that you have taken the necessary personal precautions to participate.