Alpine Advanced Course (C3+)

NSAC C3+ Summer 2025: registration opens on January 6th!

Here’s an update on what you can expect from the 2025 course year: This year, we aim to make the C3 course more appealing for participants who have completed the C2. The course will place more focus on ice and mixed climbing, with plenty of opportunities to learn from the experiences of the guides. C3 should no longer be seen as an optional course, but as a logical next step to becoming even more independent in alpine climbing in challenging terrain.

What is C3+?

Previously, the NSAC offered a C3 wellness course, which differed from an NKBV C3 by having a more intensive pre-program and a guided tour week after the course. We’ve now combined the C3 course with the C3 wellness under the name C3+ to highlight the distinction from NKBV courses. Compared to the ‘old’ wellness course, there will be an even more extensive preparation, but the tour week afterward will need to be organized by you.

By embarking on this course with a motivated group and a more thorough preparation, you’ll be able to tackle more and harder routes during the summer than with any other course. Even after completing C2+, this adventure is certainly worth it! Do you have ambitions to become an Alpine Instructor? Then C3+ is also a valuable stepping stone.

@Alex in de Écrins (C3W ’21)

During C3+, the focus will be on further expanding techniques and undertaking more challenging, technical routes. This means that participants will be expected to perform at a higher level than in a regular course. Just like with C2+, participation in the preparation weekend is required. This includes refining your rope techniques and climbing skills to the required standard. A great deal of perseverance will be needed, as it is an intensive program that – especially at the start – can be quite demanding.

The ultimate goal is in the summer: during that time, you will be going on a week of alpine tours, guided by instructors and/or Alpine Instructors.

Goal of the Course

The NSAC aims for participants to have mastered the following skills by the end of the course. The exact content of the course cannot be fully determined in advance due to uncertain factors such as weather conditions and the skill and fitness levels of participants at the start of the course. Additionally, the C3+ course offers a lot of flexibility to tailor the experience to individual preferences.

  • Apply the alpine techniques learned in the C2 course smoothly and efficiently.
  • Gain more experience in snow and ice terrain.
  • Maximize climbing distance in alpine terrain under the guidance of instructors.
  • Avoid having to practice skills you’ve already mastered in the Netherlands while in the Alps.
  • Get to know new climbing and touring partners.
  • Serve as a breeding ground for potential future instructors.
  • Increase safety.
  • Provide challenging experiences.

Entry Requirements

  • You are an active SAC member, meaning you paid your contribution to one of 14 SAC’s that are member to NSAC.
  • You have successfully completed a intermediate course (C2+) or have equivalent experience and can demonstrate this.

Selection Criteria

To be demonstrated prior to the selection day:

  • Good stamina (distance) – you are able to walk 20 km with a backpack of 10 kg within 5 hours. Additionally, you can run 7.5km within 45 minutes OR cycle 50km within 2 hours.

Will be tested during the selection day:

  • Good stamina (altimeters) – you are able to easily make 500 altimeters an hour in easy terrain.
  • Climbing level: you can lead-climb 5b level in Belgium
  • Climbing status: you hold an OV-MP status or have equivalent experience.
  • Rope techniques: You can bind into a glacier rope, bind in using shortened rope technique, build MP anchors, manage rope transport, belay using the Munter hitch (HMS), rappel, and tie in directly.
  • Rescue techniques: You know the Münchhausen technique, the Seilrolle pulley system (Swiss pulley system), can tie off a Munter hitch, perform the Seilrolle on a glacier, and prusik ascent.
  • Knots: Double figure-eight knot, rewoven figure-eight knot, Munter hitch, Clove hitch, prusik knot, rewoven prusik knot and the Garda hitch.

Selection Procedure

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:

  1. 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.
  2. The participant is capable of walking 20km within 5 hours with a backpack weighing 10kg.

The fitness requirements will be assessed based on Strava recordings. Note: these Strava recordings must not be older than January 1st, 2025.

The selection day will take place on March 22nd 2025 , 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 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 selection day. Contact the board of your SAC to see if and when this will be organized.

Dates

Selection Day: March 22, 2025, in Venlo. After the registration closes, you will receive more information about the schedule for this day.

Preparation Weekend: Following the first selection day, there will be a preparation weekend with all 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 C3+ 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 (interSAC) 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 C3+ course in 2025 will be €xxx. (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 selection day, but without travel expenses and tour food (See here for the general terms and conditions.)

Register

Registration for the alpine advanced course (C3+) open on January 6th 2025!

Registration closes on February 16th 2025 at 23:59.

More information

For more information, please email zp@nsac.alpenclub.nl. The NKBV Knowledge Centre may also be able to help you further. For the equipment needed, see the NSAC ZP Packing List.

Note: We advise course participants to take out cancellation insurance! Be timely with this.