christophernyerges.com

January

WILD FOOD OUTING, Saturday, Jan. 5, 10 a.m., $20. We'll collect a wild food salad, and see wild herbs from both chaparral and riparian environments. Meet in the parking area of the Arroyo Archery Range, Location 8.

WALK IN TOWNSLEY CANYON, Saturday, January 12, 2pm. $20. If you are going north on the 5 freeway to Santa Clarita, you want to exit on Calgrove, go under the freeway so you are on the west side of the 5. This is Thomas Guide page 4640, E3 and E4. Drive south on The Old Road and you’ll see the sign for Townsley Canyon. We’ll meet right at the entrance and then we’ll drive in a short distance to the dirt parking lot on the right. We’ll then walk into the canyon and explore the plants and rocks of this old Tataviam site.

[This outing will begin at 2 p..m, (not 10 a.m. as previously stated) due to a workshop that Christopher will be presenting at the Southwest Museum.]

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE, Saturday, January 19, 10 a.m., $51. We will focus upon edible and medicinal plants, fire-making, weaponry, water purification, and more. Meet at the west end of Altadena Drive, Altadena. [pg. 535, F4]. Location 1.

WILD FOOD COOKING WORKSHOP, Saturday, Jan. 26, 10 a.m., $34. We’ll make stew, salad, biscuits, cactus dish, etc., from items we collect from the wild, and previously-collected foods. We’ll be at Switzer’s Camp in the Angeles National Forest. Location 3.

Feburary

WILD FOOD OUTING Saturday, Feb. 2, 1pm. $20. Meet in Millard Canyon parking area (location 5). We’ll explore a mixed riparian and chaparral environment.

FIRE-SKILLS WORKSHOP, Saturday, Feb. 9, 10 a.m., $40. We’ll cover all the ways in which fire can be made when you’re without matches. After this day, you’ll never leave home without your magnesium fire starter! We’ll also learn about some edible and medicinal plants. Hahamongna Watershed Park, Location 2.

WEAVING WORKSHOP, Saturday, Feb. 16, 10 a.m., $25. Learn how to collect natural fibres and make twine, rope, brushes, sandals, netting, & baskets. A wonderful skill! Switzers Camp, Location 3.

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE, Saturday, Feb. 23, 10 a.m., $51. We will focus upon the basics, such as fire, edible plants, water purification, shelter, and more. Meet at the west end of Altadena Drive in Altadena. [pg. 535, F4].

March

ORIENTEERING WORKSHOP, Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m., $25. Learn natural methods of finding directions, and learn how to use a map and compass. We’ll also do some plant identification and fire-making. Hahamongna Watershed Park; entrance at Foothill and Oak Grove Dr. in Pasadena. Meet at southern end of the upper area. [pg. 535, E5]. Bring a compass.

CLAY WORKSHOP, Saturday, March 8, 10 a.m., $25. We'll collect and process "wild" clay, plus we'll work with clay from the craft shop. You'll learn some basics, plus how to fire. We'll also cover wild edibles. Hahamongna Watershed Park, Location 2.

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE, Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m., $51. Orcas Park (Location 9), in Lake View Terrace. Location 9. We'll focus on desert survival skills, with plant ID, fire skills, water still, shelter, and more.

WILD FOOD OUTING, Saturday, March 22, 10 am. $20. We’ll do our walk in the Arroyo Seco, just north of the Rose Bowl. Be sure to look at your map before coming to this spot. When you’re down in the canyon where the Rose Bowl is located, travel north on Rosemont (on the east side of the Bowl), up to Washington. Park in the parking area on the east side of Rosemont where it meets Washington. We’ll walk north to a trail and explore chaparral and riparian plants.

WILD FOOD OUTING, Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m., $20. Learn how to identify edible, medicinal, poisonous, and useful plants on this leisurely walk. How to make a simple solar oven will also be demonstrated. Hahamongna Watershed Park; entrance is at Foothill and Oak Grove Dr. in Pasadena. Meet at south end of the upper area (across the street from La Canada High School). [pg. 535, E5].

April

WEAPONRY and Wild Food WORKSHOP, Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m., $25. We’ll cover some of the basics of primitive weaponry, such as snares, deadfalls and their triggers, bows, throwing sticks, nets, etc. We’ll make some of these, but will not be doing any hunting. Bring a good knife. Hahamongna Watershed Park, Location 2.

SOAPSTONE WORKSHOP and wild food walk, Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m., $25. We'll work with pieces of soapstone and make such objects as small bowls, bearing pieces for fire, pipes, amulets, etc. Soapstone is easily carved with any knife, so please bring several knives. We'll also cover some wild edibles. Hahamongna Watershed Park, Location 2.

WILD FOOD OUTING, Saturday, April 19, 10 a.m., $20. We’ll explore and gather wild foods, and make a delicious salad. You’ll also see medicinal plants and other useful plants. Location 1, Upper Arroyo.

EARTH DAY LECTURE AT VROMAN’S BOOKSTORE, Saturday, April 19, 2 p.m. Christopher will present a one hour survival and wild food lecture at the outside stage at Vroman’s Bookstore at 695 E. Colorado Blvd, in Pasadena. Open to all.

WILD FOOD OUTING, Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. $20. Join us as we explore a chaparral-riparian area, and learn about various plant uses. This is south of the Rose Bowl in the Arroyo Seco, near the Archery range. Location 8.

PLANT WALK AT AUDUBON CENTER, Sat., April 26, 2 p.m., at Deb’s Park, 4700 N. Griffin Ave., Highland Park. Free and open to public. Christopher will lead a group on a native (and non-native) plant walk.

May

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE, Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m., $50. We’ll focus on bow-making today, and we’ll also learn about medicinal and edible wild plants, fire skills, tracking skills, rock tools, and more. Hahamongna Watershed Park (Location 2); entrance is at Foothill and Oak Grove Dr. in Pasadena. Meet at southern end of the upper area . [pg. 535, E5].

WILD FOOD OUTING, Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m., $20. We’ll walk just north of the Rose Bowl in an area with mixed chaparral and ornamentals, and we’ll go to a riparian area. Arroyo Seco, Location 6

WILD FOOD OUTING, Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m., $20. We’ll begin by learning how to make a leather (or other fabric) vest. Then, we’ll go on a leisurely walk as we identify edible, medicinal, poisonous, and useful plants. We’ll identify mushrooms if there are any available. We’ll make a salad, and make a fire without matches. Hahamongna Watershed Park; [location 2]

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE, Saturday, May 24, 10a.m., $51. We’ll learn the basics about wild foods, weaving, shelter, and practice fire skills. We’ll also learn how to make a simple leather carrying bag. Altadena, Location 1.

WEAVING WORKSHOP, Saturday, May 31, 10 a.m., $25. Learn how to collect natural fibres and make twine, rope, brushes, sandals, netting, & baskets. A wonderful skill! Switzers Camp, Location 3.

June

WILD FOOD OUTING, Saturday June 7, 10 a.m. $20. Learn about local native plants and some introduced exotics as we walk in Sierra Madre’s Bailey Canyon. Meet in the parking lot at Bailey Canyon Park. From the 210 Freeway in Arcadia, go north on Michillinda to Grand View in Sierra Madre. Turn right (east) on Grand View, then go left (north) on Lima St. one long block to Carter, where you turn left (west). You will see the park entrance on your right. Thomas Guide pg 566, J1.

WILD FOOD COOKING WORKSHOP, Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m. $34. We’ll gather and collect a wild food meal, PLUS you’ll see how to make a low-cost solar oven. Hahamongna Watershed Park, Location 2.

Dirttime 2008 June 18-22 Sequoia National Forest. This event brings some of the top survival instructors from across the country for five days of food, instruction, prizes and more. For detailed information visit the events section at dirttime.com

SURVIVAL SKILLS WEEKEND in Lucerne Valley. Christopher will give a presentation on wild foods, water purification, and fire at the Old Paths Assembly annual End Times Campout, on Sunday June 22. For details call (760) 248-6755.

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE, Saturday, June 28, 10 a.m., $51. We’ll learn the basics about wild foods, weaving, snares shelter, and practice fire skills. Altadena, Location 1.

July

WILD FOOD OUTING, Saturday, July 5, 10 a.m., $20. We’ll walk just north of the Rose Bowl in an area with mixed chaparral and ornamentals, and we’ll go to a riparian area. Arroyo Seco, Location 6

5 WEEK SURVIVAL SKILLS CLASS AT PASADENA CITY COLLEGE, begins Friday, July 18, 7 p.m. Class topics include: Food and food storage, water, hygiene, clothing, alternatives to electricity and gas, first aid, tools and weapons, and more. For registration, call (626) 585-7608.

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE, Saturday, July 19, 10 a.m., $51. Learn about water purification, making fire without matches, wild plant identification, and shelter-building. We’ll hike down through the chaparral into the Arroyo Seco’s riparian environment. We’ll meet on the Angeles Crest Highway in La Canada, and hike into the Angeles National Forest. Location 4.

WEAPONRY WORKSHOP, Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m., $25. We’ll focus on arrow-making, both primitive and modern. If time, we’ll also learn about some other trapping methods. Pasadena’s Arroyo Seco. Location 8. We’ll park in the casting pond area.

August

WILD FOOD OUTING, Saturday, August 2, 10 a.m., $25. Learn to identify and use some common chaparral and riparian plants in a unique "urban wilderness" location. Location 6. Arroyo Seco, north of the Rose Bowl, Pasadena. Meet at the SW corner of Washington and West. [pg. 565, E1]

WEAVING WORKSHOP, Saturday, August 9, 10 a.m., $25. Learn how to collect natural fibres and make twine, rope, brushes, sandals, netting, & baskets. A wonderful skill! Switzers Camp, Location 3.

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE, Saturday, August 16, 10 a.m., $51. We’ll learn about medicinal and edible wild plants, fire skills, tracking skills, rock tools, snares and deadfalls, and more. Hahamongna Watershed Park (Location 2); entrance is at Foothill and Oak Grove Dr. in Pasadena. Meet at southern end of the upper area . [pg. 535, E5].

FIRE WORKSHOP, Saturday, August 23, 10 a.m., $25. We’ll practice the bow drill, hand drill, plow, pump drill, batteries, flint and steel, reflectors, etc. There will also be a short walk where you can collect some fire components, and we’ll collect a wild salad. Pasadena, Hahamongna Watershed Park, Location 2.

DESERT SKILLS, Saturday, August 30, 10 a.m., $25.Orcas Park (Location 9), in Lake View Terrace. Location 9. We'll focus on desert survival skills, with plant ID, fire skills, water still, shelter, and more.

September

WILD FOOD OUTING, Saturday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m., $20. Learn to identify and use some common chaparral and riparian plants in a unique "urban wilderness" location. Location 6. Arroyo Seco, north of the Rose Bowl, Pasadena. Meet at the SW corner of Washington and West. [pg. 565, E1]

ORIENTEERING WORKSHOP, Saturday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m., $25. Learn how to use a map and compass. We’ll cover the basics of orienteering, plus go on a plant walk, and do fire-making. Hahamongna Watershed Park. Location 2. Bring a compass.

VEST and BAG-MAKING CLASS, Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m., $25. Learn how to make a simple vest, and a carrying bag for mugwort, coins, herbs, etc. Bring a blanket, and scissors, or just help with someone else. Location 2.

CLAY WORKSHOP, Saturday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m., $25. We'll collect and process "wild" clay, plus we'll work with clay from the craft shop. You'll learn some basics, plus how to fire. We'll also cover wild edibles. Hahamongna Watershed Park, Location 2.

October

WILD FOOD OUTING, Saturday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. $20. We’ll walk along a foothill stream learning how to identify common wild edibles. Bring your bowl for a salad! Altadena, Location 1.

WILD FOOD OUTING, Saturday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m., $25. Columbus Day, legal holiday. We’ll hike through the Malibu Lagoon State Beach and learn about ocean plants, seaweeds, and rocks. We’ll also visit an old Chumash village. You can drive into the park, driving south on Cross Creek Road at the intersection of Pacific Coast Hwy. (There is a parking fee). If you don’t want to pay the parking fee, park behind the stores in the northeast quadrant of Cross Creek & Pacific Coast Hwy. [pg. 629, A7-B7].

SURVIVAL PREPAREDNESS and WILDFOOD OUTING, Saturday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m., $25. Learn about the essentials of survival planning for city, or wilderness. We’ll discuss some of the basic necessary skills, as well as the tools necessary for survival (at home, and survival kits for emergencies). We’ll also go on a short walk to collect a wild food salad. Location 2.

CAPOTE-MAKING CLASS, Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m., $25. Learn how to make a full-length capote, by doing it. Bring your own blanket, and scissors, or just help. Location 2.

November

WILD FOOD OUTING. Saturday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m., $20. Learn about local native plants and some introduced exotics as we walk in Sierra Madre’s Bailey Canyon. Meet in the parking lot at Bailey Canyon Park. From the 210 Freeway in Arcadia, go north on Michillinda to Grand View in Sierra Madre. Turn right (east) on Grand View, then go left (north) on Lima St. one long block to Carter, where you turn left (west). You will see the park entrance on your right. Thomas Guide pg 566, J1.

WEAPONRY and Wild Food WORKSHOP, Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m., $25. We’ll cover some of the basics of primitive weaponry, such as snares, deadfalls and their triggers, bows, throwing sticks, nets, etc. We’ll make some of these, but will not be doing any hunting. Bring a good knife. Hahamongna Watershed Park, Location 2.

ARCHERY AND WILD FOOD walk, Saturday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. $20. Join us as we explore a chaparral-riparian area, and learn about various plant uses. This is south of the Rose Bowl in the Arroyo Seco, near the Archery range. Location 8.

WILD FOOD COOKING WORKSHOP, Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m., $34. We’ll make stew, salad, biscuits, cactus dish, etc., from items we collect from the wild, and previously-collected foods. We’ll be at Switzer’s Camp in the Angeles National Forest. Location 3.

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE, Saturday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m., $51. Increase your survival skills. In this 5 to 6 hour class, you'll learn how to make fire without matches, build a sturdy emergency shelter, make soap from plants, weave rope and baskets from natural materials, gather wild plants for food, and more. Switzer's Camp, in the Angeles National Forest. From the 210 fwy. in La Canada, drive north on the Angeles Crest Hwy about 10 miles (going towards Mt. Wilson). When you see the Switzer's sign, drive down the road and meet in the parking area.

December

WALK IN TOWNSLEY CANYON, Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. $20. If you are going north on the 5 freeway to Santa Clarita, exit on Calgrove, go under the freeway so you are on the west side of the 5. This is Thomas Guide page 4640, E3 and E4. Drive south on The Old Road and you’ll see the sign for Townsley Canyon. We’ll meet right at the entrance and then we’ll drive in a short distance to the dirt parking lot on the right. We’ll then walk into the canyon and explore the plants and rocks of this old Tataviam site.

SOAPSTONE WORKSHOP and wild food walk, Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m., $25. We'll work with pieces of soapstone and make such objects as small bowls, bearing pieces for fire, pipes, amulets, etc. Soapstone is easily carved with any knife, so please bring several knives. We'll also cover some wild edibles. Hahamongna Watershed Park, Location 2.

BAG-MAKING CLASS, Saturday, Dec. 20, 10 a.m., $25. Learn how to make a simple carrying bag (for coins, mugwort, etc.). Bring scrap material, leather, or a blanket, and scissors, or just help with someone else. Plus we’ll go on a short wild food walk. Location 2.

SURVIVAL SKILLS, Saturday, Dec. 27, 10 a.m. , $51. The hills will be quiet and peaceful (we hope). We’ll cover all the basics, such as fire, shelter, plant ID, weaving, etc., and discuss the meaning of many of the season’s symbols. Location 1,Arroyo.

Location 1	Upper arroyo	meet at the west end of Altadena Drive, Altadena. three blocks west of Lincoln [ pg. 535, f4 ]
Location 2	Hahamongna Watershed Park	entrance at Foothill and Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena. meet at southern end of upper area (across the street from La Canada High School) [ pg. 535, e5 ]
Location 3	Switzer's Camp	from 210 fwy in La Canada, drive up Angeles Crest Hwy, 10 miles, to switzer's. meet near the bridge [pg. 505, h2]
Location 4	Angeles National Forest	Take the Angeles Crest Hwy, 2 miles, until you see the turnout on the right. [pg. 535, c1]
Location 5	Millard Canyon	From Loma Alta in Altadena, go north to Chaney Trail all the way to the campground [535, h2]
Location 6	Arroyo Seco	North of Rose Bowl, Pasadena. Meet at the SW cornerof Washington and West [565, e1]
Location 7	Cobb Estate	Extreme north end of Lake Ave., Altadena. [pg. 536, A3]
Location 8	Casting Ponds	Arroyo Seco. Entrance to “Lower Arroyo Park” is from Arroyo Blvd, just west of Norwood Drive. Where the 210 meets the 134 freeway in Pasadena, go south on the short extension of the 710. Exit at California Blvd. Turn right (west) on California, and travel to where it ends, at Arroyo Blvd. Turn right (north) on Arroyo Blvd. and look for the sign on your left for the Lower Arroyo Park. Drive down the road and park. [pg 565, F5]..
Location 9	Orcas Park	northeast of Hansen Dam, in Lake View Terrace. From the 210, exit Osborne and go east on Foothill to Orcas Ave., and then go south into the park. We’ll meet in the southern-most parking area. [pg. 503, A2]