In two days' time, top Taupo climber Sian Moffitt will be heading for the biggest competition of her life.
The 17-year-old is competing at the world youth championships in Arco, Italy, from August 28 to September 6 as part of the 12-strong New Zealand team.
Moffitt is competing in lead climbing, where climbers clip a safety rope into carabiners as they climb upwards over climbs of increasing difficulty. If the climber falls, they will fall to below the last carabiner the rope is clipped into.
She is also tackling bouldering, where climbers do not use a rope and harness because the route is typically no higher than 6m, but must work their way up or over a bouldering "problem" without falling off.
Moffitt is competing in the female juniors' (under-20) category and will be climbing against 17 and 18-year-olds from around the world.