Athlete Picks: Paul McSorley

Paul’s drive for climbing comes from the unknown of each new route and the comradery of the friends that join him. Spirited and gregarious, Paul has had many first ascents, including The Canadian Route on Fitzroy, Beluga Spire’s Harpoon and the Southwest Buttress on the NW Summit of Mt.Waddington.

What are your top-five “can’t live without” pieces of gear?  

1) Nuclei FL Jacket is a year-round layer jacket that stands alone or forms the base of a layering system. 
2) C-Quence Harness, an essential unit for ALL roped climbing.
3) Konseal AR Shoes for stomping up big approaches to tree-line scrambles.
4) “Jimi” my Truck, who gets me deep into the backroads of BC to explore new areas.
5) The UFO 18, an Ultralight Paraglider I can stuff into my Alpha AR 35 Backpack or other backpack options for Climb and Fly missions. 

As an athlete you’re accustomed to big adventures. Where’s the next place you want to visit once travel is possible? 

Next Stop: The Balkans for new route development on beautiful multipitch Limestone.  

 What’s your go-to meal in the outdoors/backcountry? 

Favorite meal to power up in the Mountains has always been Pasta! 

 What’s a new skill you learned or activity you tried in 2020? 

New Skill this year:  Zoom Meetings! 

What’s your go-to song for when you need an instant mood boost? 

Favorite pick me up Song:  54-46 Was my Number by Toots and the Maytals.  

If you were stranded on an island with another Arc’teryx athlete, who would you want it to be? 

Desert Island Teammate:  Will Stanhope – we’ve been marooned together before. 

What’s a goal you hope to accomplish before the year is up? 

Visit my Mom, who I haven’t been able to see because of the Pandemic.