SAMAYA x PAULO GROBEL
ADVENTURE IN THE INTERSTICES OF THE HIMALAYAS
Paulo Grobel and his team ventured into the lesser-known interstices of the Himalayas, exploring nameless peaks and forgotten glaciers. Between isolated bivouacs, improvised routes, and connections with the Nepalese community, this bold expedition redefines the essence of mountaineering.
A journey into the heart of the unknown: Paulo Grobel and the Annapurna micro-massif
In the lesser-known folds of the Himalayas, away from tourist routes and famous summits, lies a virgin territory of exploration: a micro-massif nestled on the fringes of the Annapurnas. Without a name, without a history, this space is a blank spot on the map. Paulo Grobel, mountaineer and explorer, embarked with his team on a bold and inspiring adventure: to pioneer these forgotten mountains and chart new stories there.
In the lesser-known folds of the Himalayas, away from tourist routes and famous summits, lies a virgin territory of exploration: a micro-massif nestled on the fringes of the Annapurnas. Without a name, without a history, this space is a blank spot on the map. Paulo Grobel, mountaineer and explorer, embarked with his team on a bold and inspiring adventure: to pioneer these forgotten mountains and chart new stories there.
In search of the interstices
The idea for this expedition was born from an observation: even in massifs as well-known as the Annapurnas, there are neglected spaces, "interstices." These invisible zones, never explored or documented, represent an invitation to step off the beaten path. Paulo describes this place as "a blank territory, not geographically, but culturally," a region where Western mountaineers have left no trace.
In this logic, the choice of the massif is not trivial. With altitudes below 6,000 meters, these mountains are considered modest in the Himalayas, where 8,000-meter peaks dominate the collective imagination. Yet, these summits offer technical challenges and a pure exploration experience, far from standardized ascents and marketed routes. "We wanted to invest in these overlooked areas, where maps and stories end," says Paulo.
The idea for this expedition was born from an observation: even in massifs as well-known as the Annapurnas, there are neglected spaces, "interstices." These invisible zones, never explored or documented, represent an invitation to step off the beaten path. Paulo describes this place as "a blank territory, not geographically, but culturally," a region where Western mountaineers have left no trace.
In this logic, the choice of the massif is not trivial. With altitudes below 6,000 meters, these mountains are considered modest in the Himalayas, where 8,000-meter peaks dominate the collective imagination. Yet, these summits offer technical challenges and a pure exploration experience, far from standardized ascents and marketed routes. "We wanted to invest in these overlooked areas, where maps and stories end," says Paulo.
A bespoke, collective, and organic expedition
Unlike traditional expeditions, where objectives are fixed in advance, this adventure was built around the desires and capabilities of each participant. The team was made up of Western mountaineers with varied backgrounds—some very experienced, others barely discovering mountaineering—as well as Nepalese guides. All shared a common desire: to explore an unknown territory together.
"Everyone expressed their wishes, and we decided together where to go and what to attempt," says Paulo. This mode of exploration, both free and collaborative, allowed each member to find their place and contribute to the adventure. Some climbed technical peaks, others explored glaciers or simply savored the vastness of the landscapes.
Among the summits climbed, one was named "Kumari Peak," in tribute to a young Nepalese girl from the group, a symbol of this inclusive and human adventure. Naming a peak means giving it an identity, a history. These poetic gestures bring new life to these hitherto anonymous mountains.
Unlike traditional expeditions, where objectives are fixed in advance, this adventure was built around the desires and capabilities of each participant. The team was made up of Western mountaineers with varied backgrounds—some very experienced, others barely discovering mountaineering—as well as Nepalese guides. All shared a common desire: to explore an unknown territory together.
"Everyone expressed their wishes, and we decided together where to go and what to attempt," says Paulo. This mode of exploration, both free and collaborative, allowed each member to find their place and contribute to the adventure. Some climbed technical peaks, others explored glaciers or simply savored the vastness of the landscapes.
Among the summits climbed, one was named "Kumari Peak," in tribute to a young Nepalese girl from the group, a symbol of this inclusive and human adventure. Naming a peak means giving it an identity, a history. These poetic gestures bring new life to these hitherto anonymous mountains.
The challenges of terrain without reference points
Heading out without a topo or precise information is a challenge in itself. Each ascent became an improvised adventure, where the team had to constantly adapt to the realities of the terrain. "We never knew what the ascent would look like or how we would descend," explains Paulo. This uncertainty added a unique dimension to the experience.
The Nepalese guides, though seasoned on peaks like Everest, also discovered a new form of mountaineering. Accustomed to routes equipped with fixed ropes and organized expeditions, they had to learn to progress on technical terrain, handle tools like ice axes, and familiarize themselves with the subtleties of rope work. "For them, it was a formative experience, a return to the basics of technical mountaineering," emphasizes Paulo.
Heading out without a topo or precise information is a challenge in itself. Each ascent became an improvised adventure, where the team had to constantly adapt to the realities of the terrain. "We never knew what the ascent would look like or how we would descend," explains Paulo. This uncertainty added a unique dimension to the experience.
The Nepalese guides, though seasoned on peaks like Everest, also discovered a new form of mountaineering. Accustomed to routes equipped with fixed ropes and organized expeditions, they had to learn to progress on technical terrain, handle tools like ice axes, and familiarize themselves with the subtleties of rope work. "For them, it was a formative experience, a return to the basics of technical mountaineering," emphasizes Paulo.
The Kajin Sara Lake: a starting point into the unknown
The region is known locally for Kajin Sara Lake, presented as "the highest lake in the world." While this attraction has become a goal for Nepalese hikers, Paulo and his team saw beyond it. By exploring the surroundings of the lake, they discovered majestic glaciers and a range of peaks that were still pristine.
The region is known locally for Kajin Sara Lake, presented as "the highest lake in the world." While this attraction has become a goal for Nepalese hikers, Paulo and his team saw beyond it. By exploring the surroundings of the lake, they discovered majestic glaciers and a range of peaks that were still pristine.
An invitation to redefine mountaineering
This adventure is not limited to geographical exploration. It questions the practice of mountaineering and its evolution. In a world where the Himalayas are often reduced to a few iconic peaks, accessible at the price of a permit and costly logistics, this expedition offers an alternative. "We wanted to show that it is possible to live an authentic adventure, far from the beaten track and commercial practices," explains Paulo.
This approach is part of a pioneering tradition, that of the first mountaineers who climbed mountains without guides or infrastructure, driven by simple curiosity and the desire for discovery. "This is not a feat, but a way to reconnect with the essence of mountaineering: freedom, uncertainty, and creativity," affirms Paulo.
This adventure is not limited to geographical exploration. It questions the practice of mountaineering and its evolution. In a world where the Himalayas are often reduced to a few iconic peaks, accessible at the price of a permit and costly logistics, this expedition offers an alternative. "We wanted to show that it is possible to live an authentic adventure, far from the beaten track and commercial practices," explains Paulo.
This approach is part of a pioneering tradition, that of the first mountaineers who climbed mountains without guides or infrastructure, driven by simple curiosity and the desire for discovery. "This is not a feat, but a way to reconnect with the essence of mountaineering: freedom, uncertainty, and creativity," affirms Paulo.
A project for today and tomorrow
While this first expedition revealed the potential of the micro-massif, Paulo is not stopping there. He sees these mountains as an ideal training ground for Nepalese mountaineers, offering them a chance to perfect alpine techniques often neglected in large commercial expeditions. For Paulo, this project is not just a personal adventure, but a way to share another vision of the Himalayas—more accessible, more human, and more respectful. "These mountains deserve to be explored not for their altitude, but for the stories they allow us to write," he concludes.
While this first expedition revealed the potential of the micro-massif, Paulo is not stopping there. He sees these mountains as an ideal training ground for Nepalese mountaineers, offering them a chance to perfect alpine techniques often neglected in large commercial expeditions. For Paulo, this project is not just a personal adventure, but a way to share another vision of the Himalayas—more accessible, more human, and more respectful. "These mountains deserve to be explored not for their altitude, but for the stories they allow us to write," he concludes.
In search of the essential
In these lesser-known Himalayas, Paulo Grobel and his team have redefined the contours of alpine exploration. Through their footsteps, these forgotten summits become places of encounter, learning, and poetry. An invitation to step outside norms, embrace the unknown, and rediscover the essence of adventure.
In these lesser-known Himalayas, Paulo Grobel and his team have redefined the contours of alpine exploration. Through their footsteps, these forgotten summits become places of encounter, learning, and poetry. An invitation to step outside norms, embrace the unknown, and rediscover the essence of adventure.
