Bushwalk Australia

by **greengemstone** » Mon 25 Jun, 2012 10:22 pm

Hi there
I'm planning to hike the South Coast Track with my parents late January 2013 but am keen to hear how many leeches we're likely to encounter.
cheers
Jo

by **biggbird** » Tue 26 Jun, 2012 10:09 am

More than you'd like, but less than you fear...

But seriously, I've only been as far as Granite Beach from Cockle Creek. None on the way to South Cape Rivulet, and I think we had maybe 3-4 each after each day walking the South Coast Range? So not heaps!

by **stu** » Tue 26 Jun, 2012 10:20 am

I have seen / heard of leeches on eye lids, on heads & on other more private areas on the SCT.
I have seen a friend wake up with her head in a pool of blood with an inch long engorged sucker sleeping happily next to her.
I have had a mate with 12 on his legs at once, tho they do seem to love his sugary blood especially.
Leeches are a part of life in Tassies wild places - enjoy your walk :wink:

by **ILUVSWTAS** » Tue 26 Jun, 2012 12:10 pm

They arent that scary anyway, unless you scratch them too much and end up like i have on a few occasions....

by **ollster** » Tue 26 Jun, 2012 12:52 pm

That elephant leg was pretty repulsive I must say, ILUV.

by **shadowofadoubt** » Fri 06 Jul, 2012 9:52 am

We just did the track a couple of weeks ago, and didn't see a single person for the whole 10 day trip.
What we did see were 1000s of leeches (literally) especially down southwest cape towards Wilson Bight, even took a Dombrovskis style picture of the bloodbath on the beach!
There were so many we didn't even bother getting them off until the end of the day! It was great despite that hiccup though!

by **wander** » Fri 06 Jul, 2012 11:36 am

I cannot say I really noticed the leeches on the SCT on a few visits over the years and a trip around the SWC circuit. There were a few a about in the damper sites but not enough to take any special precautions. I might have had 2 full fat leeches to deal with in 6 doz trips to the area.

If you want to find leeches go to waterfall near Mount Pelion West.

by **Graham51** » Fri 06 Jul, 2012 1:21 pm

I've just read all the posts and it seems to me some of the posters want the track to themselves. I've walked to South Cape Rivulet and beyond several times, the whole track from Lake Pedder once and in to SW Cape and can't say I really noticed an inordinate number of leaches. The odd one. Is that because I'm used to them? I don't think so.

by **nakedape** » Fri 06 Jul, 2012 5:15 pm

Maybe you could apply for an ARC grant to count them?

by **climberman** » Fri 06 Jul, 2012 5:48 pm

I think there will be 37. It seems like the right number.

by **ILUVSWTAS** » Fri 06 Jul, 2012 9:52 pm

climberman wrote:I think there will be 37. It seems like the right number.

And that'll just be on the left side of your body

by **mjdalessa** » Sun 08 Jul, 2012 9:22 pm

Depends how heavily you tread. Leeches are nearly blind but are very sensitive to vibrations. Just make a model and work out an average based on the vibrations caused by your step.

by **north-north-west** » Tue 10 Jul, 2012 7:51 pm

climberman wrote:I think there will be 37. It seems like the right number.

42. Douglas Adams knows what he's talking about.

Bushwalk Australia

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