A CHARITY-run centre is challenging climbers to match the efforts of two men who completed a half-mile ascent of a granite wall using only their hands, feet and safety rope.

Carlton Lodge Activity Centre, in Carlton Miniott, near Thirsk, is inviting teams and individuals to scale the its extensive climbing wall in relays until they have scaled the equivalent of El Capitan, in Yosemite National Park, which was conquered by climbers without aids in January.

Kevin Jorgeson and Tommy Caldwell spent 19 days climbing the 3,000ft rockface.

David Sharp, the centre's chief executive, said: "When we saw the El Capitan success it seemed a great idea to use the indoor climbing wall at Carlton Lodge for our own El Capitan-style challenge.

"Not to be considered any less demanding than climbing outdoors, indoor climbing still offers the same sense of personal achievement and still requires the same levels of trust, commitment and communication as the climbers completing the El Capitan climb.”

Participants will be invited to make their climbs for charity events, corporate team building or as an activity while visiting the centre.

Distances climbed will be recorded and a leader board maintained, with winning team and individual results announced towards the end of the year.