An extreme experience

Text and Photos by Henrylito Tacio
“This once foggy farm land at the foot of the Mount Kitanglad is now a world class adventure destination not only in Mindanao but all throughout the Philippines.”
 That’s what one scribe wrote of Dahilayan Adventure Park, which is located in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Travel time from Davao City to the town proper is about 7 hours. It’s another 30-45 minutes going to the barangay where the park is situated.
 I had been to the place twice already. Recently, I returned because of its newest extreme ride, the Skytower Base Jump Ride. In his Facebook account, Engineer Elpedio Paras — who owns the park — describes it as “faster and safer than a bungee.”
 Base jumpers climb about 80 feet and walk the see through plank. A harness is placed in his body before he leaps out. The free fall is only about 30 feet and then after that, he goes slowly until he reaches below.
 “I have tried it,” says Ravi Michael P. Victorio, the flights operations manager of the park. “It was scary. In fact, I had some butterflies in my stomach. But I did it because I want to experience what happens when you do it.”
 Dahilayan Adventure Park, however, is known for its 840-meter cable zipline. It is touted to be the longest in Asia. Others may claim the record, but Zip Zone has dual cables which can carry two riders simultaneously. Total length of cables is 2,460 meters.
 “I never thought flying would really be this fun. I felt like I was Superman flying on top of the trees,” commented Armando A. Mortejo, a professor at the Holy Cross of Davao City who traveled all the way from Davao just to experience the extreme adventure.
 The launch point is 4,500 feet above sea level. The elevation drop is 100 meters with estimated speeds ranging from 60 to 80 kilometers per hour. The riders zoom through lush greenery of pine trees and bushes and stop at the Carrier-type flight deck that uses a special arresting gear system.
 Actually, there are two other dual ziplines – one at 320 meters, the other at 150meters. These two shorter ziplines were meant to get customers into action and make them lose their fear of the adventure.
 Once the two ziplines are taken and the person has no problem at all, he is ready for the 840-meter. A vehicle would bring all those who want to take the challenge to the launch point.
 The ziplines were launched in 2009. Since then, a new extreme adventure is being introduced every year. In 2010, the Ropes Course was introduced. It’s a 12-stage high and low wire obstacle course complete with a multisided rockwall.
 “Aside from conquering your fear, this course can also build your confidence level,” says Victorio. “If a group will do it, it brings camaraderie, trust and teamwork among those who will do it at our Tower of Power.”
 In 2011, Drop Zone Sky Wing came into existence. Here, riders are pulled by a windmill-powered winch up to 120 feet. Once on the top, one of the team pulls the release line located at the back. In a split of a second, the two drop from the top and then swing like a pendulum. “This is the country’s first extreme pendulum swing of its kind,” Victorio says.
 In 2012, the Flying Lizard was added. This canopy glider moves through the trees, crawls along vines, and zips between tree trunks while the rider pedals along the high wire. “It’s a good exercise,” says Mortejo, who pedals his way around to complete the 400-meter adventure.
 In 2013, another great ride — called Phython Roller Zipride — joined the growing list. Here, a rider zips, rattles, rolls, drops, swings, and bounces over 500 meters. “This is Asia’s first zipline roller coaster,” Victorio says.
 And now, about the prices. All three zip rides cost P600 but for the first two short rides only, it’s P250. And if you want to do the 840-meters only, the cost is P500. Drop zone is P500 for single or P750 for tandem.
 Ropes Course is P200 per person while Flying Lizard is P250. The Python Roller Zipride is P300 and Skytower Base Jump Ride is P400.
 For further details, you can log on at its website: www.dahilayanadventurepark.com.