For those courageous enough to take the iconic trek in the course of monsoon season (typically June through September), they’ll enjoy a whole new aspect of things—and it’s each bit as stunning. Green, lush forests abound with vitamins to feed the charismatic animals that human beings trek up to now to see, in addition to several of Earth’s most misunderstood populations: leeches.
Although not an ideal eco-trail companion, the existence of leeches is a reality and a very acceptable part of lowland flora during monsoons. Just take out the table of contents. Something to carry around on your trip – you can include this helpful ditty in –Prepare for yourself a neat little manual that deals with every possible scenario you come across on the Annapurna Circuit Trek with leeches, so that yours remains an experience of adventure and not one filled with pain!
Caring for Leeches And Their Environment
The leeches love a good damp atmosphere, and so the lower Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, from Besisahar to Jaga, turns into their show time during the monsoon. They are not insects, but parasitic worms, and their goal in life is merely to fasten onto a host so they can feed. They don’t spread diseases, and their bite is often painless — they make an anesthetic to dull your skin, so trekkers usually wouldn’t notice a leech until they see blood. They are built to blend in, usually looking like tiny black or brown freckles on leaves and wet soil, and they are good at slipping into boots and socks.
Get dressed in something suitable to be your first line of protection.
Annapurna Circuit Trekking Your best defense against leeches will be what you are wearing. And wear long pants and tuck them into your socks. It’s as if you’re building a wall where the leeches couldn’t even figure out where to go. Embed even more: Wear gaiters, which cover the tops of your boots and bottoms of your pants, so they add another layer to cover this vulnerable area. On the other hand, light-coloured clothing can also be helpful if you’re hoping to see that leech inching its way across your clothes before it starts settling in and finding purchase.
The Effectiveness of Repellents And Natural Deterrents
Physical barriers are a must, but repellents provide another layer of defense. Many trekkers on the Annapurna Round Trek, for example, also carry around a little funky spray bottle they’ve made with some salt mixed in, and maybe even a few drops of tea tree oil or another essential oil. You only need to spray with this; the leech will be liberated almost as soon as he is hit. Other good options: mosquito repellent with DEET, which leeches hate the taste of. Well, if you put these repellents on your boots, socks, and the bottom of your pants, there is somewhere that holds them back.
Step methods to prevent getting in touch with leeches
The majority of the leeches can be found on the ground, and they prefer damp leaves and flora on or close to the ground. Whilst taking walks on the principal route, avoid brushing against moist bushes and treading on mossy rocks whenever possible. It’s a good idea to do this periodically during short breaks as well. It’s just a single glance that can save you from getting burned down the track. If you discover a leech on one of your pieces of gear, brush it off with a stick.
Handling an Attached Leech
Even with the best of intentions, a leech could still end up on your body. The big rule is not to panic. Don’t try to jerk the leech out – it can leave part of its mouth in your skin, for an infection – here I prefer a blood thirsty critter. Coax the leech free. The best way to remove a leech is to coax it off. It’s generally just a finger flick to its head, or some saltwater or alcohol. The beast will begin to spasm, and its hold will release. Once off, you can go ahead and peel it away from your skin.
The Importance of Post-Bite Care
When the leech has disengaged, it will leave a small painless wound, which may bleed for several hours. That’s due to the anticoagulant secreted by the leech to keep your blood flowing as it feasts. It shouldn’t bleed for long, though make sure to clean the area thoroughly using an antiseptic wipe or with soap and water. You can also slap a small bandage on it, which serves the dual purpose of keeping it clean while keeping you from snuggling any irritation into existence. The bite marks are likely to be harmless and will mostly heal with no issues.
Maintaining a Positive Mindset
The hardest thing about the leeches on your Annapurna Circuit Trek trail is not even physical. It’s a feeling that it is easy to get “itchy” or paranoid, and thinking at all times, leeches are squirming on you. The essential element to take into account is that mushrooms are a natural part of the environment and are not harmful to your health. A sense of humor and a little bit of accurate vibes do not hurt. The narratives of others who have pioneered may also help to demystify the process and make it seem less terrifying. The landscape is jaw-dropping, with a monsoon rarely-read backdrop more than compensating for the pain.
Annapurna Circuit vs Hiking to Tilicho Lake
Leaches, the ones you do not want to meet on the trek route, are concentrated mostly in the lower region of the Annapurna Round Trek. The famous high-up extension to i, thet, Tilicho Lake Trek has its own problems. Once you plow or slog your way up the main trail, it’ll be higher country, and leeches will not be as much of a problem because the air at altitude is cooler and drier. This detour is rougher, more hostile ground with its own obstacles. So if it’s the blood-suckers you’re most concerned about, a high altitude trek and another season than monsoon might be for the best.
Leveraging a Reputable Trekking Agency
This is going to be pretty comforting, especially when you are trekking and you don’t know about things on the trek. A guide who would not only know the trails and the perils but also be an expert on how to get rid of leeches. They can dispense old-fashioned practical wisdom, bear those critical rations of salt, and just be damned comforting as you spend most of the time ogling jaw-dropping vistas and life-altering cultural experiences.
So right here is my final mind about the Monsoon trek.
Trekking the Annapurna Circuit within the monsoon season is a superb and fulfilling experience. It’s a taster of what the Himalayas must look like at their most animated and lushest. “Coming across a leech is just yet another one of those little incidents in life out here,” he says. And with a little planning, some good clothes and repellents, a clear head, and it’s simple to navigate this section of the trail. Waterfalls, Dense forest, and A silent foot trail make an amazing & astonishing monsoon trek to Sepi. Gets You Through the Little Hassles Being able to tackle such little hassles takes you one step closer to success, so that you feel like a victor while on your Pothole Grapher Annapurna round trek.
