Southern Jaunt IX - Camp Sabros

After our brief but superb lunch at Blue Carabao, we immediately went on our way to Camp Sabros. Camp Sabros (short for Sacdalan Brothers) is an outdoor adventure camp nestled in the highlands of Kapatagan in Digos City, Davao del Sur. Kapatagaan is one of the jump-off points for mountaineers who trek to Mt. Apo. Hence, the camp is blessed with cool weather and fantastic views of the Mt. Apo Natural Park and of the whole Kapatagan area.

On the way to Digos

Durian being transported on a tricycle

Camp Sabros opened on December 25, 2007 and is managed by brothers Pando Sacdalan and Edwin Sacdalan. No wonder the name of the camp “Sabros”, was derived from the words “Sacdalan Brothers”. Since it is located high in the mountains, expect cold weather in Camp Sabros.

there's still room for one?

From Davao, it took us about 2 hours to reach the junction at Digos City. On the right side of the highway about 300 meters from here is the road leading to Kapatagan. It will be another 26 kilometers of alternating segments of concrete and rough roads of varying widths until you reach the parking area at the base of the trail leading to Camp Sabros. Allot at least 45 minutes of travel from the highway to Camp Sabros depending on the type of vehicle that you are using. Just like in Dahilayan, though 4x4s are recommended, I believe that cars can similarly do the job so long that you take it easy on the dirt part of the road, which is practically 65% of the way.

Of course, make sure that your vehicle is in good condition as you shall be traversing steep climbs and blind curves. As an alternative, habal-habals are also available for you to hire.

Junction

habal-habal to Kapatagan

just one of the many uphill climbs

good thing is, the steep climbs are cemented roads

Lush Greens

Foggy..kissed by the clouds

steepest and longest climb

You will know that you have reached the parking area / trail leading to Camp Sabros once you see a police outpost guarding the Mt. Apo Natural Park. Here, you can choose to have a 20-minute (1-kilometer) uphill hike to Camp Sabros, go horseback riding or hire a motorcycle for P30.00 per person. You need not to worry as you will be treated to a magnificent view of the place along the way.

Parking Area where horses and motorbikes are available

stalls...on the left-side background is the police outpost

"horsey for us"

Ken

Ivy

Hunny and Maxie

Tito Frank

Although Camp Sabros is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to day tourists, overnight accommodations are also available. This makes the area a usual stopover for hikers to and from Mt. Apo. However, the riding facilities are available only until 5:30PM. Good thing we arrived at the place at about 4:00 p.m.

Hiking Starts

Up where the eagles fly

pine trees along the way

are we there yet?

It really feels so good to be kissed by the cool breeze from the mountains. All the pine trees surrounding the area also lend that Summer Camp feeling in Camp Sabros. There is even a shy but friendly dog that made me missed Lucho even more.

Welcome to Camp Sabros

Finally here

so what do we do next?

Bonfire

Philippine Eagle

"doggie"

Bringing in of food and drinks is allowed at Camp Sabros. Hence, visitors may have a picnic anytime of the day to while away time or just enjoy the area. Nonetheless, Camp Sabros also serves the usual Filipino fare any time of the day. Prices range from P20.00 to less than a hundred per order. Souvenirs, t-shirts, junk foods/chips, soda and other personal necessities are also sold at the reception area.

Cajun is in the House

menu for the day

Huh?

Before we went ziplining, we camwhores took pictures around the area. Our usual prey included Superman, the Indian, and the famous statue of the Philippine Eagle near the bonfire area.

Superman

wanna fight

so...what's on the other side?

what are you lookin' for?

tickle

kissed by an Angel

Literally, fresh air has never been this fresh. You can smile the sweet smell of pine and feel the soothing breeze around the Camp. Of course, though the camp mainly serve the adventurous and free-spirited, you will also find solitude should you wish to just enjoy the sights and the beauty of the place.

pine

just want to sit there and enjoy the view

Different packages are available for you to choose from. Published rates for the rides and accommodations as of February 2011 are as follows:

vintage bottles

At first, Hunny was again hesitant to zipline. I therefore had no choice but to avail of the tandem zipline package so that we can do it together. And she actually enjoyed it. Of course, we all enjoyed it. Even Tito Frank and Tita Nelia were game enough to try the 380m tandem zipline.

are you already tired Hun?

here we go again...

world peace

the other side of the 380M zipline

waiting

here comes Tito Frank and Tita Nelia

Ais glides in the air

Peak of Mt. Apo

we made it...

From there, we were made to wear additional gears for the 820m zipline and boarded the multicab that will take us to the jump-off site. The ride is an exhilarating one. I would say that it is more nerve-wracking than the ride to the 840m dual zipline in Dahilayan owing to the fact that the vehicle used here is a lot smaller and the roads were bumpier.

Hang Loose

taken while on the 4x4 ride

W O W

pondering

lightning struck

After giving Hunny another round of pep talk, I went first so that I can take pictures of them at the other end of the line. What could I say? It was one heck of an electrifying ride. Beautiful surroundings, great weather, adrenaline rush, trees on the ravine below, and the sky bellowing its might above you, there is nothing you could really ask for. Surprisingly, Hunny was able to make it. Believe me, she was able to zipline alone…she has a video taken by herself to prove it harharhar. Great lad, she’s even smiling on the video. I was so happy for her.

820M zipline

Ivy's screaming her lungs out

ain't my Hunny's beautiful

Though only for a brief moment, all of us really had a great time in Camp Sabros. The place is really a must-visit for thrillseekers. Too bad, we were not able rappel and try the cable ride. I think these are additional reasons for us to go back, huh? Camp Sabros, see you again!

Family

Hunnys

Wacky

Jumpin' Jacks

whooah

mountains everywhere