Newbie needs help

I wonder that you seem to be so stuck on the idea of rappelling.
As this is a climbing website, I think I can speak for most of us in saying that rappelling is but a means to an end. If you are going to invest in a day at the red river gorge, go climbing. There are easy routes there that will allow you to climb to the rim of the gorge before rapping back off, such as Bedtime for Bonzo at the Fortress.
I would highly recommend hiring a competent guide service. They will be able to loan/rent you all the gear you need for the day, orient you to its use, and ensure your safety with as much certainty as can be expected. As an added benefit you will literally be able to talk said guide's ear off all day long with questions about gear. All climbers love talking about gear, and gathering information from an experienced individual as opposed to from an online forum is much more efficient.

Nathan Flaim wrote: I wonder that you seem to be so stuck on the idea of rappelling. As this is a climbing website, I think I can speak for most of us in saying that rappelling is but a means to an end. If you are going to invest in a day at the red river gorge, go climbing. There are easy routes there that will allow you to climb to the rim of the gorge before rapping back off, such as Bedtime for Bonzo at the Fortress. I would highly recommend hiring a competent guide service. They will be able to loan/rent you all the gear you need for the day, orient you to its use, and ensure your safety with as much certainty as can be expected. As an added benefit you will literally be able to talk said guide's ear off all day long with questions about gear. All climbers love talking about gear, and gathering information from an experienced individual as opposed to from an online forum is much more efficient.

Wow, this is an old thread. I read the OP, but not the date. I was replying more to his most recent post on 9/11/2013. He gave up on rappelling from a chimney for painting (thank goodness), but mentioned heading to the RRG for some recreational rappelling, and had asked for some "tips on equipment."