Local mountain climbing enthusiast Gord McArthur is taking his skills to the World Cup of Mixed Climbing circuit, with competition spanning from Asia to Europe.

It's the third trip to the circuit for McArthur, but his first year of competing on the entire circuit. He's already finished two of six total events, starting in South Korea and moving over to Europe over a span of just over a month, which started a week ago.

After taking a crack at a few World Cup events over the last few years, McArthur is feeling more confident about some of the results he hopes to achieve.

"I'm feeling stronger than ever, but after two competitions, I know that there's still some work to be done," wrote McArthur in an email from France. "Competing against the Europeans and Russians is no easy task. Their level of ability is very high."

But in facing tough competition, McArthur can observe what puts Europeans and Russians in an elite class of climbers, particularly when it comes to technique and experience.

"This year especially, it's opened my eyes, more so, to how much more I need to improve to compete amongst the elite," continued McArthur. "I'm certainly capable at this point strength wise, but just need to work on a bit of specific technique."

To train for the kind of high-level competition needed for the World Cup circuit, McArthur not only works on the physical aspect of climbing, but the mental grind of pushing himself to rise above any challenge.

His coach, Will Gadd, helps him out in both departments.

"He's constantly challenging me to face my weaknesses and improve on them," said McArthur. "It's hard a lot of the time, but no one ever said reaching for the top was going to be easy."

And while Gadd provides coaching support, McArthur's wife Becky, and two young daughters are always encouraging his climbing dreams.

"My family is amazing. Through thick and thin, success and failure, my wife and daughters are always there to cheer me on and give me hugs," said McArthur. "I can't put into words how grateful I truly am for their undeniable support. I couldn't do it without them."

And McArthur does have a dream of reaching a podium spot on the World Cup circuit and representing Canada at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, if the sport becomes a sanctioned event by then.

To follow McArthur's progress, check out his blog at www.machavokonthefly.com