Registration for RAB NSAC summerprograme 2024 below!
Is it your ambition to become an expert in alpine climbing, however, you only have small experience? This course will be the starting point for you! In an intensive approach, all basic alpine skills are discussed doing exercises and tours. Firstly, you will be familiar with various hiking/climbing techniques in both rock, snow and ice terrain. Secondly, you’ll learn rope techniques, orientation and other alpine skills, such as weather administration and danger recognition. The course is designed to give you a solid foundation to make simple tours on your own.
What’s C2+?
C2+ is the old C2 in a new course, which means more preparation. There will be a selection day and a preparation weekend, so the rescue techniques will not have to be reapeated during the course and there’s more time to climb when in the Alps.
Entry requirements:
· Active SAC member
· Available on all course dates (see below)
· Good condition (7.5 km running in 45 minutes OR 50km biking within 2 hours )
· Climbing level: following in 4th degree terrain on Climbing shoes and in the possession of the OV-SP status.
· Rope skill: binding in to glacier rope, belay using the Munter hitch (HMS), rappelling, rewoven figure-eight knot, direct binding in, building MP anchors. Please note that these are partly OV-MP techniques but we do not require a full MP status (however it is recommended).
· Rescue techniques: Seilrolle-glacier, prusik ascend, tie-off half clove hitch, Münchhausen technique
· Knots: Double figure-eight knot, rewoven figure-eight knot, Munter hitch, Clove hitch, prusik knot, rewoven prusik knot
Goal of the course
The NSAC aims to ensure that participants have at least mastered the following points at the end of the course. The precise implementation of the course cannot be determined in advance because of factors such as the weather and the overall stamina of the participants.
· Briefly repeating all the material of the C1 course (safe movement in basic terrain is a requirement to continue in the alpine training course)
· Leading and planning simple tours yourself (instructors take the role of coach)
· Learn to belay in all types of rock terrain · Dealing with different types of rope handeling (laying out, rope transport, shortened rope)
· Learn to use the terrain efficiently to belay
· Learning how to make belay points with schlinges, nuts & cams
· Learning to belay in snow and ice (basic)
· Repetition and extension of theory (for example: students interpret the weather forecast every day, etc.)
· Mastering the following rescue techniques: crevasse rescue, self-rescue from crevasse, express flaschenzug
· Efficient and safe learning to move forward in 2nd and 3rd degree terrain
· Learning to climb rock ridges
· Evaluation of alpine dangers
· Learn the difference between mountaineering and sport climbing, and where these disciplines meet and overlap (alpine sport climbing, trad climbing, bolting in the Alps, etc.)
· Being able to independently make PD / AD tours.
Selection Procedure
This year, prior to the selection day, a preselection will be made to reduce the pressure on the day itself. The NSAC will verify whether you meet the entrance requirements and the two fitness requirements for performing length measurements:
- The participant can either run 7.5km within 45 minutes OR cycle 50km within 2 hours. A choice can be freely made between these options.
- The participant is capable of walking 20km within 5 hours with a backpack weighing 10kg. Unlike the C1 course, the time limit does constitute an exclusion criterion for participation in the selection day.
The fitness requirements will be assessed based on Strava recordings. To participate in the kick-off, upload these two Strava recordings by March 10, 2024 23:59 to the drive of the Summer Program Committee. Note: these Strava recordings must not be older than January 1, 2024.
The selection day will take place in March 2024, the exact date will be announced soon, in Venlo. On this day, the remaining selection criteria will be assessed so that everyone enters the course with the same set of basic skills. Participation in the selection day is therefore mandatory for anyone wishing to take a C2+ or C3+ course.
Many SACs organize one or more course sessions to refresh aspiring mountaineers on the rope techniques, rescue techniques, and knots that must be demonstrated at the kick-off. Contact the board of your SAC to see if and when this will be organized.
Data
Selection Day: March 23, 2024, in Venlo. After the registration closes, you will receive more information about the schedule for this day.
Preparation Weekend: April 20 and 21, 2024. Following the first selection day, there will be a preparation weekend with all C2+ and C3+ participants. This will take place in April, and the exact date will be provided later.
Course: All courses will be conducted between early July and late August. The C2+ course typically lasts for 7 days (6 overnight stays). In the registration form, you can specify your preferred weeks. If you are selected for a course, we will do our best to assign you to one of your preferred weeks, but we cannot guarantee this. Additionally, when making the schedule, we aim for diverse course groups. The ZP committee aims to announce the schedule by late April or early May, allowing you to plan the rest of your summer vacation.
Costs: The cost of the C2 course in 2024 will be €960. (non-students pay an additional €40 since the NSAC contribution only goes to students) This includes expenses for instructors, half board for the course week and the kick-off day, but without travel expenses and tour food (See here for the general terms and conditions.)
Register
Are you already convinced that this is what you want? Sign up here! This form closes February 18th 2024 23:59
More questions? Read the Frequently Asked Questions.
