Make It Davao: Camp Sabros

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Camp Sabros

Entrance to Camp Sabros

There are actually six Zip line facilities in Davao: the Skyrider at Eden Nature Park, Zip City, Xcelerator-Davao Outland Adventure, Kaputian Zip line, Kalinawan Zip line-Samal, and of course, the Slide for Life at Camp Sabros.

Gate at the Camp

Camp Sabros is an outdoor adventure camp situated 3,980 feet above sea level on the cool highlands of Sitio Barras, Barangay Kapatagan, Digos City, Davao del Sur. It has two of the Philippines’ longest zip lines with its 380 and 400 meters zip lines at 180 feet above the ground.

Signage

Opened to the public in December 25, 2007 by brothers Edwin and Pando Sacdalan, Camp Sabros (short for Sacdalan Brothers) is surrounded by a lush greenery of tall pine trees all across its landscape, and offers a relaxing view of the surrounding mountain ranges, and a panoramic view of Mount Apo, the country's highest mountain peak at 10,311 feet above sea level. In view of its high elevation, the weather in Camp Sabros is cool all year round.

View of Mount Apo from the Camp

Mount Apo is the Philippines' highest mountain peak

with an elevation of 10,311 feet above sea level

and is considered one of Southeast Asia's top climbing destinations

Slide for Life at Camp Sabros

Philippines’ longest Zip Lines with

380 and 400 meters zip lines at 180 feet above the ground

Camp Sabros has become a top destination for visiting locals and foreign tourists for its famous "Slide for Life" -- an adrenaline-pumping, 380 and 400 meters cable-sliding cliffhanger ride 180 feet above the ground, (roughly the height of a five-story building), making it the country's longest zip lines. A zip line, also known as flying fox, zip wire, aerial runway, death slide, or Tyrolean crossing, consists of a long stainless steel cable suspended high above the ground, mounted on a steep incline to propel by gravity its rider from one end to the other in high speed. The rider in full-body harness is safely fastened to the cable by a freely moving pulley attached to the zip line. The rider is then positioned horizontally, face down, with arms totally free to flap like the wings of an eagle way up high above the grounds! The ride from one end of the line to the other usually takes an average of 30 seconds for a solo ride, and 50 seconds for tandems. A cable lift is equally popular in the Camp - the ride, amid the scenic view of the lush green forest trees and pine trees below, usually lasting five minutes. The zip line facilities are open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

Zip line

380 and 400 meters zip lines at 180 feet above the ground

Amid the lush greenery of tall pine trees and mountain fog

At the base of the Zip Line and Cable Lift

A farther look of the Base

Cable Lift

Amid the scenic view of the lush green forest trees and pine trees below

Cable Lift

View from the deck

Amenities in the Camp include: hiking trails, billiard hall, picnic tables, cable television, a Deli/Diner that serves food and drinks at affordable prices, a Bar, souvenir shop, and fireplace-equipped log cabins that can accommodate 4 to 10 persons for overnight stay at the camp. There is also a small convenience store at the Deli that sells instant food, snacks, and other foodstuff, including coffee, ice-cold beverages and cigarettes. Personal toiletries are also available. Bringing of food and drinks is allowed in the Camp. There are no corkage fees, or entrance fees.

The Camp's Resto/Bar

Inside the Resto/Bar

Menu of the Resto/Bar

Long table outside

From the Billiard Hall at the Deli

From the other side of the Billiard Hall

One of the Log Cabins

Amid mountain fog and lush greenery

Log Cabin

Another Log Cabin

Bed Room of the Log Cabin

Inside the Log Cabin

Viewing deck of the Log Cabin

The weather at Camp Sabros is usually cool all year round with occasional rain. A good, warm jacket or sweater is essential, and rubber shoes are a must especially on rainy days, particularly for hiking about at the Camp. Electricity is available at the Camp, and all major cellphone carriers have good signals therein.

Hiking Trails

Ground near the Camp's Log Cabins

Mountain fog surrounds the entire Camp

View of the surrounding mountains

from the Camp

Ride Rates

Ride Rates continued . . .

Camp Shirt for sale at the Souvenir Shop

Sabros Camp was featured recently in Sports Unlimited

One of the local sports oriented shows

aired in one of the major local networks

Camp Sabros was likewise featured in a local magazine

How to get to Camp Sabros

From the Ecoland Bus Terminal at Davao City, there is a two-hour bus ride to Digos City, Davao del Sur via the National Highway. At Digos City, a motorcycle will take you to the Van Terminal where several vans are available for hire that will take you to Kapatagan, and drop you off at the base of Camp Sabros. Private vehicles may park at the base camp of Mt. Apo National Park and Mountaineering/Trekkers Information Center, which is a military checkpoint in Sitio Baras, Kapatagan, Digos City. From there, a motorcycle ride is available, or a 20-minute uphill trek to get to Camp Sabros.