Renowned local climber Gord McArthur is going to launch his 24-hour climbing marathon again this summer. This time he's making it a little - or a lot - more difficult.

Last summer, MacArthur and two climbing comrades, Jesse Cuthill and Travis Norrie, climbed almost 40,000 feet, in a marathon 24-hour climb in Rotary Park to raise money for the Southern Alberta Ronald McDonald House, located in Calgary. The event raised approximately $5,000.

The fundraiser was inspired by young Charlotte Amsing's ongoing battle with PNET, a brain tumour. The Amsing family of Cranbrook have endured long months of treatment, requiring them to stay in Calgary for extended periods, with all the attendent financial pressures.

This time around, McArthur is doing the climb solo. And the wall will be some 10 feet higher than last year.

McArthur is a friend of the Amsings, and recently went to visit Charlotte.

"I wasn't going to do it again," he said of the marathon climb. "But as soon as I saw her, with her big smile, I said 'game on.'"

McArthur's aim is to double last year's total of $5,000, with proceeds again going to the Southern Alberta Ronald McDonald House and the Amsing family. Last year's climb took place in Rotary Park. This year the event, set for July 15, will take place in front of Hot Shots on Victoria. Hot Shots and High Country Sports in Cranbrook have both offered their support and help with the organization of the event.

"It will be pretty exciting. Though at 3 a.m. (last year, on the climbing wall), it didn't feel too exciting," he admitted. 24 hours of straight climbing "pushes you farther than you think your body can handle."

After all, if you climbed 40,000 feet straight up, starting at sea level, you would finish off some 11,000 feet higher than Mount Everest - practically into outer space.

However, McArthur should be able to handle it. He's been training with Steve MacDonald of Total Fitness in Cranbrook, and last year endured the punishing circuit on the World Cup of Mixed Climbing.

McArthur said he was initially inspired to do the undertaking by Will Gadd, his climbing coach, would did something similar - on ice.

"I feel it's the least I can do," McArthur said. "Compared to what the Amsings have to go through."

The public can help out the cause by donating online, at www.machavok.com/courageousjourney, or by donating at High Country Sports.

Ronald McDonald House is a place where families can stay while a family member is being treated for illness in hospital. Long-term treatment for illness, like cancer, can place a considerable financial and emotional strain on families, which services like Ronald McDonald House help alleviate. The Calgary facility is frequently used by East Kootenay residents.