Outdoor Single-Pitch Course evening 1 - Autumn 2025

From 01 Sep 18:30 to 01 Sep 21:30

General information

Do you already have experience with indoor lead-climbing and do you want to make the step to climb outside? Then this course is what you are looking for. The climbing proficiency certificate for Outdoor Single Pitch Lead-Climbing is an entry requirement for the Outdoor Multi Pitch course, where you learn to climb several rope lengths outside. More about all courses within ESAC can be found here.

Outdoor lead-climbing differs from indoor lead-climbing in a number of things. The most obvious difference is that you need a number of rope techniques outside to be able to climb safely. The most important difference is the step from the hall to real rock, from good overview indoors, to the unclear of the outside and from the safety of a hall to the required self-reliance outside.

Course content

During three evenings, all the techniques will be taught in the climbing gym. Here you will learn everything needed to know for independent outdoor single-pitch climbing. Then, a technique card (piece of paper) is handed out, on which all the techniques that you know are listed. You can then show on the climbing weekends that you can independently do the techniques and they will be signed off one-by-one by an instructor when you demonstrate them correctly and with confidence. If an instructor thinks you are ready for the exam, this will also be indicated on the technique card and you can take the exam the following weekend. A total of three SP weekends are organized of which you need to subscribe to two before attending the course, you need to sign up for these weekends yourself. You are expected to need two to three weekends to pass the exam. Afterwards you will receive the NKBV climbing proficiency certificate for outdoor leadclimbing single pitch and you can participate independently on climbing weekends!

Registration

There are 14 spots for this course. You can register here up to and including Sunday the 24th August. If there are more valid registrations than places, a selection is made where priority is given to people who did not make the selection for previous course and everyone else is chosen based on motivation, climbing level and activity within ESAC. There is no selection evening.

Entry requirements and expectations

• Have passed the Indoor lead-climb (IV) exam. And lead-climbed at least twice since then (not being out-of-practice with lead climbing)
• In the hall 5+ leadclimb without a block. This will not be checked, but is a guideline for yourself (being comfortable with lead climbing is important).
• Compulsory attendance to all classes (Monday 1 sept, Thursday 4 sept, Thursday 11 sept)
• Inscription in at least two of the three OV-SP weekends, which are on the agenda. In total you will probably have to take 2-3 weekends before you can take the exam.
• Willing to invest in material. If you only have the standard material for top roping, this is around 120 euros. (if you are selected, make sure you have your material before the course)
• Willing to take out comprehensive mountaineering insurance and annual climbing pass (for access to climbing areas), if you do not yet have it. The most logical option for this is NKBV membership (45 euros), NKBV travel insurance (42 euros) and annual climbing pass (20 euros). In total this is therefore a bit more than 100 euros.

Cost

The costs for the outdoor lead-climbing Single Pitch course are 35 euros and about 90 to 100 euros for the following two weekends. The exact price for the weekends will follow later.

Materials

• Harness
• Safebiner
• Belay device
• Climbing shoes
• 4x screwbiner, of which 1 HMS
• 120cm sling
• 60cm sling, or a dynamic self-belay (e.g Petzl Connect Adjust)
• 6x quickdraws
• 1m prusik
• Climbing helmet

You can borrow most of these materials from ESAC during the course and the weekends, but it is advisable to already buy some material if you can. ESAC does not have sufficient material to let everyone borrow all of their materials. It is also possible to borrow material from other ESAC members at your own initiative.

Make sure to at least have your own prusik at the start of the course!

If you have any other questions please contact the OC via oc@esac.nl 

What: OV-SP course evening 1
Where: Neoliet south, hall upstairs
When: 1st September
Time: 18:30-21:30