Can a 260 pound guy safely go Rappelling?

Question

I am thinking of rappelling into a 200 foot cave in Belize with my 3 teen boys. Most of the pictures are of thin women and young men. Will that skinny rope hold my weight? There will be a 180 feet of free hanging while I drop down. Does this sport requiere good upper body strenth? Who does a novice check the equipment before going? How should it be attached to be safe?

We are dropping to the ground and will hike out. The 3rd answer was very good. But I still need to know how do I size up the equipment they are using that it is safe for a fat guy like me and the kids. What questions would I ask that would an expert would say "yes that is good equipment or I would't put my dog in that setup"
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Simple Man of God was a good answer, still need a little more info, see my add on details

Answer 1

Actually, the three answers here don't seem to be very informed. You should buy a premade harness rated for your weight, to start with. In truth, mine is rated for 500 lbs. I dont like taking chances. Most brands of rappelling rope will safely handle 750 to 1000 lbs of weight. I weigh in at around 250 and go rapelling pretty regularly. I learned to do it in the Army, and just kept doing it when I got out. As to whether or not you need great upper body strength, it would greatly depend upon how you intend to get out of wherever you lower yourself to. If there is an exit on the level you are dropping down to, then there is nowhere near the requirement of upper body strength that is needed to pull yourself back up the rope. There are motorized haulers that can be used to pull you back up, as well as pulley systems to pull yourself back up under your own power. There is some requirement of strength in your brake hand (the one at the small of your back), but you can use a mechanized grip to minimize even this need. If you dont use a mechanized grip brake, do yourself a favor and get yourself some heavily padded gloves with full range of motion. You have to be able to firmly grasp the rope, so if the gloves wont close fully, you got a problem... the slipping kind. The first time most people rappel, they are shocked by how much their hand is burned by the time they get to the bottom.
The remarks about hiring a guide are not necessary, but you should spend some time in technical instruction on the basics of wall rappelling before trying a free rappel, with no wall to stabilize yourself. In other words, give it a try on a 40 or 50 foot specially set up wall, because a 180 foot fall in the middle of nowhere in Belize would not be a very enjoyable event. Especially if you survived it.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I am not trying to be flip with you, but if you need to ask that question, you need to hire a guide to assist you with your adventure. It can definitely be done with the appropriate equipment.

As far as good upper body strength, it isn't an absolute neccessity, but it is beneficial. The rope and pulley systems (belays) are designed to use mechanical advantage to make the rappelling easier.

Good luck and have fun! It sounds awesome.

Answer 3

I think in your case it would be good to attend a training course before you hurl yourself off of a 200 foot rock, hoping all goes well.

Try a climbing gym in your area, or see an outdoors shop such as REI for further details.

That's my advice. I don't mess around with ropes and climbing, but I have friends that are very much into it.

Answer 4

yes its called falling good luck