February 2, 2006: Trek to Shira Plateau

Clouds move in as a line of porters and trekkers ascend the steeper lower section of the hike between Machame Camp and Shira Plateau

Gladiolus and Red Hot Poker

[Photo top: gladiolus; bottom: red hot poker]
The heath and moorland zones overlap into what is known as the lower alpine zone. Although it is much cooler than the rainforest, the sun is intense. The shrubs (heather) begin to shrink as the altitude increases. Grasses dominate the slopes.

Some of the most colorful fauna make their appeareance in this region, namely gladiolus watsoniodes, and the Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia thompsonii).