Turns Out, Caterpillar Fungus is Crunchy | Primal Survivor

[Music] Traditional doctors or amches are highly respected and regularly consulted. Here, their methods have been passed down from generation to generation. They are reputed to be able to transform Mountain herbs into remedies to treat everything from arthritis to indigestion.

But, to protect me at high altitude, it wasn't a plant that the amchi [Music] prescribed. This is a caterpillar that lives out here. It's a special caterpillar in that there's a parasitic fungus that eats away at the insect and then finally winds up growing out of the head of the caterpillar.

It's a bit strange, but everything that the Mustang Nomads have showed me so far has really helped me out. So, awfully crunchy caterpillar fungus is believed to improve the body's ability to deliver oxygen to the vital organs. Tastes like um, really crunchy cardboard. Considering everything I've eaten on this trip, it's not too bad, and it could be a lifesaver.

This climb will expose me to an invisible killer: altitude sickness. The Yaks are built for this mountain; their blood can hold three times more oxygen than regular cattle. But I am way out of my comfort zone.