Five of us decided to climb G Bunga Buah with the hope of seeing less "dancing queens" given the recent dry spell. When we started the hike at 9.15 a.m. the sky was overcast. Not a good sign. But we decided to push on and hoped for the best.
It took us about 20 minutes to scale the vertical slope from the vegetable patch to the old Genting tar road and another 15 minutes to trek up the tar road to the Y-junction where we took the left turning. Starting from here, we raced through the wet/damp trail (rained the previous night?) and stopping occasionally to apply salt to"murder" the blood suckers somersaulting up our pants. We arrived at the foothill (or the actual trail head) at 10.40 a.m. and the false peak (or the granite outcrop) at 12.10 a.m. After our fill, we proceeded on and hit the peak an hour later at 1.50 p.m.
We cut our time short at the 'dirty' peak after noting "dancing queens" at the exposed peak area! Half-way downhill, the rain came and as expected we had to "battle" with the blood suckers again on the way out to the old Genting tar road.
NB: I was the only lucky one who did not bear any "battle" scars against the blood suckers.Throughout the trek I saw only one leech limping its way up my pants. However, not the same could be described for the rest of the group who received a total of 9 bites after fencing off numerous blood suckers.
The photos for the last trip can be viewed at http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/5550.
This must be the tiger leech?
ReplyDeleteNice one...fresh
ReplyDeleteCool!
ReplyDeleteAll get ready to conquer Rinjani soon!!
ReplyDeleteHappyTrekker, please share your experience or tips to others on how to prevent the leech come close to you? hahaha.
ReplyDeleteThe anti-leech strategy has been outlined at http://happytrekker.multiply.com/photos/album/224/Bunga_Buah_28.09.08. Last trip in September 09, I also did not suffer any leech bites. In fact no leeches climbed more than 1 inch above the outer sole of my hiking shoes.
ReplyDeleteAt the Sendat waterfall trip, both MH and I wore trekking sandals for the jungle walk. MH suffered 4 leech bites. I did not encounter any leeches despite stopping occasionally to take photographs because I was wearing socks pre-soaked with tobacco water.
Tobacco is a better choice than salt because, the former does not kill the leeches. Leeches hate the smell and will avoid it. Salt attracts insects such as butterflies and bees... maybe harmless but irritating when they start swarming around you.
As demonstrated during the trip (May 2), Baygon does not help at all....
Yes, u r right :(
ReplyDeleteFirst time i saw a tiger leech......
Agree....we also used tobacco water in endau rompin. can always go to those small indian grocery to buy the loose tobacco and put in water...
ReplyDeleteAnother anti-strategy is to trek with KT. The leeches were simply attracted to her. I saw numerous leeches (about 10?) climbing up her shoes trying to seek her "attention". Sorry KT, I was not brave enough to assist you to deleech.
ReplyDeleteYa,i still remember when asked for salt from u......wow....
ReplyDeleteu lari cepat cepat....hahahaha........................
u know, one died leech in my shoe !!! scary ,ya :)
Ya,still remember when asked u for salt, wow.........
ReplyDeleteu lari cepat- cepat.........hahahaha........................
u know, 1 died leech in my shoe !!! scary,ya :(