Rappelling a Handley family affair

At this year’s Bridge Day™, Robert Handley, 78, Todd Handley, 41, and Meghan Handley, 14, all rappelled together off the New River Gorge Bridge. Robert hails from Renick, and Todd and Meghan live in Williamstown.

Robert is a member of the VBats rappel team, and Todd is a member of Extreme Rappels team.

Both Robert and Todd have been participating in Bridge Day for years. The younger Handley has been training with her dad and spent several days down at Whitesides Mountain in North Carolina in September. Whitesides is a 660’ rappel. Bridge Day rappel coordinator Benjy Simpson was at Whitesides to observe them.

Meghan says, “In 1999, I went to my first Bridge Day. I was only seven years old. When I looked up at the awesome structure above me and saw my dad on rope, I said out loud, ‘Some day, I’m gonna do that.’” Meghan goes on to say, “It’s really awesome to be able to rappel with my dad and grandpa. I wouldn’t want to do it any other way. They have both been so supportive and have always encouraged me to do my best.”

Simpson says that she has become the youngest to rappel off the New River Gorge Bridge.

“I grew up following my dad underground and then got into rappelling with caving friends,” said Todd Handley. “To be the one in the middle has its own twists; I get to see my dad continue to defy age and my daughter show her maturity. At a young age, she has shown the interest, set her goals and continued to advance her rope skills. She won’t let me go rappelling without her now. The Three Generation Rappel will be one that I cherish as long as I live.”

Robert offered the following comments: “One of the hardest things I’ve had to do as a parent was to let my boys go and do what they really wanted to do. I worried a lot for their safety. I taught them mainly by doing things with them and exposing them to my associates, hard core cavers who don’t let many obstacles stop them. Today, Todd is more skilled at rope work that I ever was. I cautioned Todd about pushing his daughter Meghan to do the Bridge Day rappel, but he said she was pushing him to let her do it. Meghan is well trained and definitely has the Handley spirit. I have a lot to be thankful for.”

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