Two Colorado college students who went missing during a weekend hiking trip in the Rocky Mountains were found dead on Wednesday afternoon in a remote basin of West Apostle Mountain after a heavy snowstorm hit the region, according to the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office.
The Discovery on West Apostle Mountain
Search and rescue teams recovered the bodies of Kaden Matsuda, 19, of Ridgway, Colorado, and Jackson Donlon, 20, of New York, about 100 miles southeast of Aspen. The two students left Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus on October 23, telling friends and family they planned to climb Ice Mountain, a nearly 14,000-foot peak requiring technical climbing. They were expected to return by October 25, but college staff reported them missing on the morning of October 26 after they failed to come back.
Roughly 60 search and rescue volunteers deployed to the area, supported by helicopters, drones, and search dogs. On Tuesday, a helicopter crew spotted a tent collapsed under the weight of the snow near a lake northwest of Ice Mountain. Inside the tent, searchers found sleeping bags, a stove, and clothing, but the students were not there. Based on the tent’s location, officials determined the pair were aiming for the 13,597-foot West Apostle Mountain.
Deputies Found Missing Climbing Equipment and Snowy Conditions at the Trailhead
At the time of the pair’s planned climb, Ice Mountain was covered in around two feet of snow and is regarded as a very technical climb requiring hikers to be experienced. Deputies located Matsuda’s car at the Mount Huron trailhead with about eight inches of snow around it, though no snow sat underneath the vehicle. Investigators found trash inside the tent indicating the students had eaten before setting out, and noted that their climbing equipment was missing from dorms, their vehicle, and the tent, suggesting they had left camp prepared for a technical ascent.
Weather in the area rapidly deteriorated on Saturday around 1 p.m., shifting from rain to heavy snow that created horrific road conditions. Ice Mountain received between one and two feet of snow, with drifts reaching up to four feet in certain spots. Investigators also conducted forensic examinations of the students’ cellphones, discovering no activity in the preceding 48 hours, though authorities suspected the devices might have been turned off to conserve battery power.
Ongoing Investigation Into Student Deaths
Authorities stated that the causes of death remain under investigation, but foul play is not suspected, and officials said they will not speculate until autopsies are completed. Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich expressed gratitude to the search teams in a public statement: Our heart aches for Kaden and Jackson’s family and friends. We are very proud of our team’s efforts to find them before this weekend’s coming storm. Although this is a gut punch, our prayers were answered that we would find Kaden and Jackson, allowing some closure for the family.
Friends and family described both young men as experienced hikers and climbers. Matsuda was studying to become a wildland firefighter, while Donlon was training to become a mountain guide. Colorado Mountain College released a statement honoring the students and emphasizing support for the campus community, noting that the focus remains on helping students, faculty, and staff through the difficult days ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Search
Where were the students’ bodies found?
Search parties located the bodies of Kaden Matsuda and Jackson Donlon on Wednesday afternoon in a basin of West Apostle Mountain, roughly four miles from where Matsuda’s car was parked at the Mount Huron trailhead.
What rescue resources were deployed during the search?
Around 60 search and rescue volunteers participated in the operation, backed by helicopters, drones, search dogs, and a multimission aircraft utilizing infrared technology.
What did investigators find inside the students’ tent?
A helicopter crew discovered the students’ tent collapsed under heavy snow with sleeping bags, a stove, and clothing inside, alongside rubbish indicating they had eaten before heading out on their climb.
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