When one thinks of preparing for high altitude adventure there's the image of training as if from a Rambo movie. The reality is sometimes more like this , hours of nose to the grindstone or, well the computer screen organizing flights , equipment , porters and seeking sponsors especially that elusive breed called the cash sponsor and then figuring out what other extra fat you can pare out of the project to match the ever slimmer budget!! (I'm as be bewildered as I look!!)

Meeting Dallen , Nelson Kathmandu Manager - had a light hearted laugh or two. Fun guy.

The Colossi expedition bike on its way up Mount Arthur

Flora Saddle at 1000m. The bike rides over, the hiking begins.

Among the Rocks on Mt Arthur Summit 1800m there is nothing to see here as most of the Hike was in cloud however I got to enjoy some Absolute Wilderness goodies. I especially like the Banana milkshake. All up I had a great 9 hour day out of the office into the real office.

Nathan Dahlberg, Broad Peak, World Record, Mountaineer, Cyclist, Outdoors, Adventure, Mountians, Climbing, Hiking, Biking, Tour De France, Absolute Fitness, Kathmandu, broadpeak, Exploring, 8000m

A steep climb up to Flora saddle Bradley Neame discovers

Above the "Cauldron" as I call it on Winter Peak with a stiff South Westerly blowing. The wind is howling through these rocks at 1750m.

"Nath - how about some Absolute Wilderness stew"                                                                              "yeah Nath , then apples on cream rice for dessert"

 Absolute Wilderness specialize in creating 100% freeze dried high performance meals for outdoor athletes and enthusiasts. One of the perennial high altitude problems is the lack of appetite - The palatability, nutrition, light weight and ease of use of Absolute Wilderness products will sustain us in that harsh top of the World environment.  Here multiple World multi-sport champion Nathan Fa'avae demonstrates his culinary abilities to me - "just add water and eat!!"

Visit Absolute Wilderness on Facebook or visit them at www.absolutewilderness.co.nz/

Its been a fairly quiet March training wise - mainly cycling and walking but I did get out a few times. Here I am hiking up to Mt Angelus summit and back in the Nelson lakes last Thursday. Great weather for a 10 hour day.

Nathan Dahlberg, Broad Peak, World Record, Mountaineer, Cyclist, Outdoors, Adventure, Mountians, Climbing, Hiking, Biking, Tour De France, Absolute Fitness, Kathmandu, broadpeak, Exploring, 8000m

30 years ago I read this book , the 1981 Epic of New Zealander's  Peter Hillary (Sir Ed's son) and Graeme Dingle as they made the first ever traverse of the Himalayas. there journey ended on the Baltoro glacier at Concordia  right below K2 and Broad Peak. Ever since seeing the photos of Concordia and its surrounds all those years ago there rested in my mind the idea of going there. The vision has expanded - little would've I have imagined back than the idea of trying to climb one of the giants yet alone taking a bicycle up there!!