Attacked by Leeches- TMI Photos

[LotsofLeeches]

My friend and I went on a 3 day remote area hike in tropical Australia. We are experienced hikers and normally deal with leeches in a sensible manner.

This was something else- on our 3rd day hiking out, we experienced a leech attack of biblical proportions- we actually couldn’t stop to remove them because every 10 we got off, 20 more would climb on while we were stationary. We couldn’t sit down anywhere as they were just oozing out of the ground. The track was very overgrown so our legs and torsos and heads were constantly brushing against foilage, letting the fuckers get all over us.

My friend had them in her mouth. I had them deep inside my eyelid- twice. Friend acted as an emergency medic and heroically tweezered them out. Sadly we don’t have a photo of this as we were already at maximum freak-out.

Enjoy the photos of our leechy legs.

Another reason never to go to Australia.

Were you not warned about the leeches? In your eye WTF!!!! Why did you hike the trail OP?

I’d pass out and die, or rather get the blood sucked out of me!

We are a pair of lifelong friends, and wanted to challenge ourselves outside our suburban middle aged lifestyles and reconnect with nature with a multi night self sufficient hike. I mean, that nonsense has been knocked right out of us.

We are a pair of lifelong friends, and wanted to challenge ourselves outside our suburban middle aged lifestyles and reconnect with nature

Well, it certainly sounds like you achieved what you set out to do. Though it's probably more accurate to say that nature connected with you.

Wtf would anyone want to trek there?

Oh my god!! That is both disgusting and fascinating and a great story to tell.
If you had to go back there for some reason, what would you do/wear differently? Would you get too hot in a full hooded wet suit and goggles?

Dear Lord

https://parks.desi.qld.gov.au/parks/misty-mountains

“A 130km network of short and long wilderness tracks takes visitors through pristine, high-altitude rainforest with crystal clear creeks, waterfalls and panoramic views. Some tracks are suitable only for bushwalkers, while others are shared tracks with mountain biking permitted.”

It sounded lovely on the National Parks site.

Next hike will be somewhere where leeches are not.

My friend’s feet- now and then. Sadly I can’t get the link of a video of the leech oozing out of her shoe eyelet to work- just a still shot.

I will have nightmares tonight!

Where did you sleep and how did the leeches not get you when you were sleeping?

Oh. My. Gods. I'm itchy all over, and want to have a shower just looking at that.

I actually pride myself on my un-squeamishness, I can hold the bucket as the vet lances a massive cow abscess, I can remove maggots from a horses leg wound, and vomit, poo, pee, snot and blood hold no fears for me. But those blood suckers are a step too far.

But also, thanks for posting, they are horribly fascinating. And I'm going back for another look.

We slept by a creek and surprisingly didn’t have any night leech issues. I slept in a hiking hammock above ground. Friend slept in an ultralight tent setup. We couldn’t sit out on the ground or a log and have a cuppa though- the vampire worms were waiting.

Toileting was via digging a hole in ground with our poo trowel- we were terrified of bum leeches but escaped this horror.

Holy shit. This is next level, I would need therapy after this

"One got through the sock weave, and as it inflated, others got through the same hole."

It's like a 50s B movie, Revenge of the Leeches.

OP I'm a multi day hiker too - but in NZ. Come over here, there's challenging hikes but insects won't get you, only the weather to fear.

Omg!! You are amazing to have survived!!! What a horrific adventure. But great photos.

I can’t actually believe this!!!

I’m a hiker too. Main worry for me is Cows and Ticks 😅

Did you follow a trail on any sort of website or app where you can leave a review and photos.

Really hope this hasn’t put you off hiking as normally it’s the best thing

Flipping heck. How much blood did the pair of you lose??? I'm never going to Australia.... Scottish ticks and midges are my limit. I'm so in awe of you and your friend, OP. And rather nauseated...

OMG I’m normally not squeamish but dear lord

In your EYE!
Bum leeches?!
Call Steven King.

Tiger Balm is quite good at repelling leeches, I learnt in Borneo.

It was the bastard sandflies I hated.

This is the most restrained and polite description of Horror Hike that would have most of us exhausting the word fuck when describing it.

This is both the worst and best thread I've ever read on mumsnet. In your eyelids. Bloody hell.

Another reason to never go to Australia or go hiking!

Holy crap 🤢 that is horror movie level leeches.
Hope your all healing well