Search suspended for missing ice climber along Lake Superior

MUNISING MICH. - The U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday it had suspended the search for a missing ice climber who fell from a cliff Tuesday afternoon along the shores of Lake Superior.

The mishap took place along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising, MI, about 120 miles west of Sault Ste. Marie.

The 31-year-old man was climbing with a friend when he fell, the Coast Guard said in a news release.

The missing climber has been identified as a resident of Gaylord, who was climbing when waves resulted in his fall from an icy rock ledge.

After receiving a report of the mishap about 5:15 p.m., Coast Guard from Sault Ste. Marie joined a response with National Park Service Rangers and the Alger County Rescue 21 team. 

The Coast Guard routinely trains with both agencies for similar emergencies, and sent an ice rescue team from Station Marquette and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Traverse City to join the search. 

Difficult weather conditions prevented the ice rescue team from launching.

The helicopter searched into the evening but was unable to locate the missing man, and a second helicopter from Air Station Traverse City returned at first light and completed its search, also with no sightings.