SAMAYA x PAULO GROBEL
ADVENTURE IN THE INTERSTICES OF THE HIMALAYAS
Paulo Grobel and his team have ventured into the unknown interstices of the Himalayas, exploring unnamed peaks and forgotten glaciers. Between isolated bivouacs, improvised itineraries and sharing with the Nepalese community, this daring expedition redefines the essence of mountaineering.
A journey into the heart of the unknown: Paulo Grobel and the Annapurna micro-massif
In the unknown recesses of the Himalayas, far from the tourist routes and famous peaks, lies a territory untouched by exploration: a micro-massif nestled on the bangs of the Annapurna range. With no name and no history, this area is a blank on the map. Mountaineer and explorer Paulo Grobel and his team have embarked on a bold and inspiring adventure: to clear these forgotten mountains and chart new narratives.
In the unknown recesses of the Himalayas, far from the tourist routes and famous peaks, lies a territory untouched by exploration: a micro-massif nestled on the bangs of the Annapurna range. With no name and no history, this area is a blank on the map. Mountaineer and explorer Paulo Grobel and his team have embarked on a bold and inspiring adventure: to clear these forgotten mountains and chart new narratives.
In search of the interstices
The idea for this expedition arose from an observation: even in massifs as well-known as the Annapurnas, there are neglected spaces, "interstices". These invisible zones, never explored or documented, are an invitation to get off the beaten track. Paulo describes this place as "a white territory, not geographically, but culturally", a region where Western mountaineers have left no footprints.
In this logic, the choice of massif is not insignificant. With altitudes below 6,000 metres, these mountains are considered modest in the Himalayas, where 8,000-metre peaks dominate the collective imagination. Yet these peaks offer technical challenges and a pure exploration experience, far removed from standardized ascents and marketed itineraries. "We wanted to invest in these areas that have been left aside, where maps and stories stop," confides Paulo.
The idea for this expedition arose from an observation: even in massifs as well-known as the Annapurnas, there are neglected spaces, "interstices". These invisible zones, never explored or documented, are an invitation to get off the beaten track. Paulo describes this place as "a white territory, not geographically, but culturally", a region where Western mountaineers have left no footprints.
In this logic, the choice of massif is not insignificant. With altitudes below 6,000 metres, these mountains are considered modest in the Himalayas, where 8,000-metre peaks dominate the collective imagination. Yet these peaks offer technical challenges and a pure exploration experience, far removed from standardized ascents and marketed itineraries. "We wanted to invest in these areas that have been left aside, where maps and stories stop," confides Paulo.
An à la carte, collective and organic expedition
Unlike traditional expeditions, where objectives are set in advance, this adventure was built around the desires and abilities of each participant. The team was made up of Western mountaineers from a variety of backgrounds, some highly experienced, others just discovering mountaineering, as well as Nepalese guides. All shared a common desire: to explore unknown territory together.
" Everyone expressed their desires, and together we decided where to go and what to try," says Paulo. This mode of exploration, both free and collaborative, enabled each member to find his or her place and contribute to the adventure. Some climbed technical peaks, others explored glaciers or simply savored the immensity of the landscape.
Among the summits climbed, one was named "Kumari Peak", in homage to a young Nepalese woman in the group, the symbol of this inclusive and human adventure. Naming a summit gives it an identity, a history. These poetic gestures give new life to these previously anonymous mountains.
Unlike traditional expeditions, where objectives are set in advance, this adventure was built around the desires and abilities of each participant. The team was made up of Western mountaineers from a variety of backgrounds, some highly experienced, others just discovering mountaineering, as well as Nepalese guides. All shared a common desire: to explore unknown territory together.
" Everyone expressed their desires, and together we decided where to go and what to try," says Paulo. This mode of exploration, both free and collaborative, enabled each member to find his or her place and contribute to the adventure. Some climbed technical peaks, others explored glaciers or simply savored the immensity of the landscape.
Among the summits climbed, one was named "Kumari Peak", in homage to a young Nepalese woman in the group, the symbol of this inclusive and human adventure. Naming a summit gives it an identity, a history. These poetic gestures give new life to these previously anonymous mountains.
The challenges of terrain without landmarks
Setting off 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 climb was going to be like, or how we were going to get back down," explains Paulo. This uncertainty added a whole new dimension to the experience.
The Nepalese guides, though seasoned on peaks such as Everest, also discovered a new kind of mountaineering. Accustomed to fixed-rope routes and supervised expeditions, they had to learn how to negotiate technical terrain, handle tools such as ice axes and learn the subtleties of roping up. "For them, it was a formative experience, a return to the basics of technical mountaineering," says Paulo.
Setting off 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 climb was going to be like, or how we were going to get back down," explains Paulo. This uncertainty added a whole new dimension to the experience.
The Nepalese guides, though seasoned on peaks such as Everest, also discovered a new kind of mountaineering. Accustomed to fixed-rope routes and supervised expeditions, they had to learn how to negotiate technical terrain, handle tools such as ice axes and learn the subtleties of roping up. "For them, it was a formative experience, a return to the basics of technical mountaineering," says Paulo.
Kajin Sara Lake: a starting point into the unknown
The region is known locally for Kajin Sara Lake, billed as "the highest lake in the world". If this attraction has become a target for Nepalese trekkers, Paulo and his team have seen beyond it. Exploring the area around the lake, they discovered majestic glaciers and an array of untouched peaks.
The region is known locally for Kajin Sara Lake, billed as "the highest lake in the world". If this attraction has become a target for Nepalese trekkers, Paulo and his team have seen beyond it. Exploring the area around the lake, they discovered majestic glaciers and an array of untouched peaks.
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 emblematic 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 experience an authentic adventure, far from the beaten track and commercial practices," explains Paulo.
This approach is in keeping with a pioneering tradition, that of the first mountaineers who climbed mountains without guides or infrastructure, driven by simple curiosity and a desire for discovery. "It's not a feat, but a way of reconnecting with the essence of mountaineering: freedom, uncertainty and creativity," says 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 emblematic 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 experience an authentic adventure, far from the beaten track and commercial practices," explains Paulo.
This approach is in keeping with a pioneering tradition, that of the first mountaineers who climbed mountains without guides or infrastructure, driven by simple curiosity and a desire for discovery. "It's not a feat, but a way of reconnecting with the essence of mountaineering: freedom, uncertainty and creativity," says 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-scale commercial expeditions. For Paulo, this project is not just a personal adventure, but a means of sharing another vision of the Himalayas, one that is 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-scale commercial expeditions. For Paulo, this project is not just a personal adventure, but a means of sharing another vision of the Himalayas, one that is 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 the little-known Himalayas, Paulo Grobel and his team have redefined the boundaries of alpine exploration. In their footsteps, these forgotten summits become places of encounter, learning and poetry. An invitation to break away from the norm, embrace the unknown and rediscover the essence of adventure.
In the little-known Himalayas, Paulo Grobel and his team have redefined the boundaries of alpine exploration. In their footsteps, these forgotten summits become places of encounter, learning and poetry. An invitation to break away from the norm, embrace the unknown and rediscover the essence of adventure.
