Alpine Intermediate Course (C2+)

NSAC C2+ Zomer 2026: Registration will open on the 1st of Januari.

Is it your dream to become an expert in alpine climbing but do you have only a little 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 become 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 independently.

What’s C2+?

A few years ago, the C2 course was changed and renamed C2+. It is an integration of what were previously known as the regular C2 and the C2-Wellness courses. The + signifies a more rigorous selection process and more intensive preparation prior to the course, similar to how the C2-Wellness course was previously organized. This ensures that less time is spent during the course itself on repeating rope and rescue techniques, allowing more time to log actual vertical meters in the Alps.

You are expected to practice several times in the run-up to the summer to bring your rope techniques and climbing proficiency up to the required level. A selection day and a preparation weekend will be organized ahead of the course.

The ultimate goal lies in the summer: a full week of alpine tours led by mountain guides and/or Alpine Instructors.

Goal of the course

• 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.

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 beginners course (C1) 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 level 4 terrain on climbing shoes
• Climbing status: you are in the possession of the OV-SP status. We don’t require an OV-MP license, but we do expect that you can multipitch independently, meaning you have done a Mulitpitch course or have similar experience.
• Rope techniques: You can bind into a glacier rope, tie in using the 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

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:

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. 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, these two Strava recordings must be submitted by Februari 28th, 2026, at 23:59 (more information will follow after registration). Note: these Strava recordings must be no older than January 1st, 2025.

The selection day will take place on March 14nd 2026, 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+ 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 14, 2026, 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 C2+ participants. This will take place the weekend of April 11-12, 2026.

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 (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 C2 +course in 2026 will be €960. (non-students pay an additional €40). 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.)

In order to participate in a course, you must transfer €150 as a deposit before January 31 at 23:59. Without a deposit, your registartion is not complete. This must be transferred to NSAC NL43 SNSB 0339 8155 07. Please include your name and the course you wish to take in the description.

The costs for the kick-off day amount to €10. If after this day it turns out you’re not selected, the remaining €140 of your deposit will be transferred back to your bank account.

Final Note

For the C2+ and C3+ courses, the selection process does not take place on a single day but is spread across multiple moments. Following the initial selection day, everyone who passes the first round will receive personal advice along with a corresponding “commitment of effort” (required practice/training). These requirements will be reassessed during the preparation weekend. Failure to comply with these commitments may still result in exclusion from further participation. After the registration period closes, all registered participants will receive further details regarding the program.

Register

Registrations will open on the 1st of January 2026.

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.