Link to : http://www.sabahtourism.com/climbathon/index.php
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
How to remove leech
Leeches are common in rainforests of Madagascar, mainland Africa, and Southeast Asia. Unlike leeches in other parts of the world, rainforest leeches live in leaf litter and vegetation -- they are not aquatic. They find their prey (you and other warm-blooded animals) by odor and sound vibrations. In leech-rich areas, if you stand still for a few minutes, you'll see leeches dropping from vegetation and moving toward you like inchworms.
Terrestrial leeches are generally small (although they can get quite huge in some parts of the world) but will gorge themselves during a meal, gaining up to ten times their weight. The single feeding will be enough to sustain a leech for several months.
The best protection against leeches is covering up and using insect repellent on clothing, although they are extremely persistent and invariably if you spend enough tromping around in the forest you will get leeched. Do not get overly concerned about a leech attack -- they carry no disease and there is low risk of causing significant blood loss. Leech bites do not hurt -- since they release an anaesthic when they sink their teeth into your skin -- but they do bleed profusely. Leeches use an anticoagulant when they bite to faciliate the flow of blood from the wound.
Removing a leech
If you are bitten by a leech and are compelled to remove it before it has had its full (leeches drop off on their own when they are done feeding), you can do so by following these steps:
Identify the anterior (oral) sucker which will be found at the small end of the leech.
Put your finger on your skin adjacent to the oral sucker
Gently but firmly slide your finger toward the wound where the leech is feeding. Using your fingernail, push the sucker sideways away from your skin.
Once you have dislodged the oral sucker, quickly detach the posterior (rear) sucker (the fat end of the leech). Try flicking the leech or proding with your fingernail. As you work to remove the leech, it will attempt to reattach itself.
Keep the wound clean -- minor cuts in tropical climates can quickly become infected. The leech itself is not poisonous. The wound will itch as it heals.
NOTE:
Is it generally not advised to attempt removing a leech by burning with a cigarette; applying mosquito repellent, shampoo, or salt; or pulling at the leech. This can result the leech regurgitating into the wound and causing infection much worse than the leech bite itself.
In the case that a leech invades an orifice like your nose, ear, or mouth you have a slightly more serious problem since the leach will expand as it fills with blood. If you have access to strong (drinkable) alcohol or hydrogen peroxide you can try gargling (if the leech is in your mouth). Worst case scenario you may have to puncture the leech with a sharp object.
Source : http://www.wildmadagascar.org/overview/leeches.html
Terrestrial leeches are generally small (although they can get quite huge in some parts of the world) but will gorge themselves during a meal, gaining up to ten times their weight. The single feeding will be enough to sustain a leech for several months.
The best protection against leeches is covering up and using insect repellent on clothing, although they are extremely persistent and invariably if you spend enough tromping around in the forest you will get leeched. Do not get overly concerned about a leech attack -- they carry no disease and there is low risk of causing significant blood loss. Leech bites do not hurt -- since they release an anaesthic when they sink their teeth into your skin -- but they do bleed profusely. Leeches use an anticoagulant when they bite to faciliate the flow of blood from the wound.
Removing a leech
If you are bitten by a leech and are compelled to remove it before it has had its full (leeches drop off on their own when they are done feeding), you can do so by following these steps:
Identify the anterior (oral) sucker which will be found at the small end of the leech.
Put your finger on your skin adjacent to the oral sucker
Gently but firmly slide your finger toward the wound where the leech is feeding. Using your fingernail, push the sucker sideways away from your skin.
Once you have dislodged the oral sucker, quickly detach the posterior (rear) sucker (the fat end of the leech). Try flicking the leech or proding with your fingernail. As you work to remove the leech, it will attempt to reattach itself.
Keep the wound clean -- minor cuts in tropical climates can quickly become infected. The leech itself is not poisonous. The wound will itch as it heals.
NOTE:
Is it generally not advised to attempt removing a leech by burning with a cigarette; applying mosquito repellent, shampoo, or salt; or pulling at the leech. This can result the leech regurgitating into the wound and causing infection much worse than the leech bite itself.
In the case that a leech invades an orifice like your nose, ear, or mouth you have a slightly more serious problem since the leach will expand as it fills with blood. If you have access to strong (drinkable) alcohol or hydrogen peroxide you can try gargling (if the leech is in your mouth). Worst case scenario you may have to puncture the leech with a sharp object.
Source : http://www.wildmadagascar.org/overview/leeches.html
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Article About Bukit Teraja
Reputed to be one of the highest hills in the Labi area, Bukit Teraja rewards the climbers with fine views over the Baram valley to the north and and Gunung Mulu to the south. The walk to the summit takes less than two hours at brisk pace. The path is well marked and maintained, at first rising fast through primary rainforest. Steep steps have been cut into the slope for some stretches of the initial climb which begins to flatten out after about 20 minutes. The path breasts a narrow ridge after 40 minutes where there is a picnic table. Turn right, and the path descends into an open clearing known as 'the place of the winds' where there is a welcome cooling breeze on which swiftlets surf, hunting insects on the wing. The upper end of the clearing has a picnic spot with covered benches and a small brook. Here you will notice several species of pitcher plants, characteristic of higher forest zones. Do not pick them because they are protected species. The path continues upwards behind the picnic area to the summit with a panoramic view taking in Gunung Mulu to the south sweeping round to the Baram/Belait plain and the Lambir Hills and even as far as the limestone cliffs of Niah on a clear day. Animals commonly seen or heard in the forest of Bukit Teraja include barking deer, bearded pig, squirrels, tree shrews and macaques. Rhinoceros and bushy-crested hornbills are also common.
The distances to the picnic area and on to the summit are marked along the path in rantai, which is Malay for chain (1 chain is 22 yards or 20 metres). There are 141 chains to the top and 98 chains to the picnic spot. Orang Utang have been sighted in the past and there have even been some more recent reports.
Source : http://jungle-drum.com/tourist/bukitteraja.htm
The distances to the picnic area and on to the summit are marked along the path in rantai, which is Malay for chain (1 chain is 22 yards or 20 metres). There are 141 chains to the top and 98 chains to the picnic spot. Orang Utang have been sighted in the past and there have even been some more recent reports.
Source : http://jungle-drum.com/tourist/bukitteraja.htm
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
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