23-05-2025
Mackinac Island Fire Department rescues stuck climber near Arch Rock
MACKINAC ISLAND — The Mackinac Island Fire Department helped a climber who got stuck on a cliff near Arch Rock on Thursday, May 22.
According to a Facebook post from Fire Chief Jason St. Onge, members of the fire department set up a rig for a technical rescue after a young man went over the cliff and got stuck.
Both St. Onge and 1st Deputy Chief Larry Rickley were on the mainland and unable to respond to the initial call, St. Onge wrote in the post, adding he was proud of how the department handled the incident.
"In my 35 years on the department, this is probably our 15th technical line rescue, maybe more," he wrote. "It was great to listen in on the radio to the members getting it done."
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The cliff is located near the popular landmark, which features a natural limestone arch that is more than 50 feet wide, according to It also rises more than 140 feet above Lake Huron waters, according to Mackinac State Historic Parks.
Tourists often visit the formation, drawn to the scenic views and photo opportunities. People can get to Arch Rock by foot, carriage or bike, and it can also be viewed from below around the perimeter of the island.
— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@ Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Mackinac Island Fire Department rescues stuck climber near Arch Rock formation
