The Perfect Pack

Any sturdy backpack will do, add a cardboard box to prevent the sides from squashing your delicate mushrooms!

Mushroom hunting isn't the only type of hunting happening around you, always wear safety orange to signal your presence to game hunters!

When solo foraging I like to wear bells to warn animals of my presence and scare off any predators.  

Carrying fire starter is always recommended when heading out into the woods, just in case you get lost in cold weather.  Nothing fancy required but make sure it stays dry!

In the unlikely event you find yourself lost or injured, it is wise to be wearing a whistle.  Your ability to blow through the whistle will outlast your yelling voice by many days.

Fall in the Pacific Northwest forest can get really cold.  Emergency blankets are made of a special material that reflects your heat to keep you warm.

I prefer to cut my mushrooms (rather than pull them), leaving most of the dirt and debris on the forest floor.  I find a curved blade works best. 

One of the ways mushrooms spread is through microscopic spores that fall off of the fertile surface (usually the gills), when you carry your mushrooms in a porous bag or basket you're helping to propagate your favorite mushroom!

I've seen plenty of bear sign while mushroom hunting in the cascades, always carry bear spray! 

The Pacific Northwest has no shortage of rain, and impervious rain gear is famously hard to find and maintain.  I always carry a spare poncho just in case!

If you're stuck in the woods for more than a day or two you'll need water, I like to carry a straw filter.  They're much lighter than lugging around water but require you can find a fresh source.

No adventure is fun when you're covered in sunburn or bug bites.  I like to keep sunscreen and bug repellent in my bag at all times, so they can never be forgotten.