TWO COLLEGE STUDENTS FOUND DEAD AFTER DISAPPEARING DURING COLORADO MOUNTAIN HIKE AS HEAVY SNOW COMPLICATES SEARCH

Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, were discovered in a remote mountain basin after a days-long search involving helicopters, drones, search dogs and dozens of rescuers. The experienced hikers had planned an ambitious climb before severe winter weather moved into the area.

CHAFFEE COUNTY, COLORADO — A heartbreaking discovery has brought an end to the search for two college students who disappeared during a hiking trip in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, were found dead on Wednesday afternoon, October 28, in a remote basin on West Apostle Mountain in Chaffee County, according to the sheriff’s office.

The two young men had been missing for several days after setting out from Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus on October 23.

Their disappearance prompted an extensive search involving approximately 60 search-and-rescue volunteers, helicopters, drones, trained dogs and other emergency personnel.

Authorities confirmed that foul play was not suspected. The exact circumstances and causes of their deaths remain under investigation, pending autopsy results.

TWO FRIENDS SET OUT ON WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A HIKING ADVENTURE

Matsuda and Donlon were students at Colorado Mountain College and shared a strong interest in the outdoors.

The pair had told family and friends that they planned to hike Ice Mountain, a peak in the Collegiate Peaks area of Colorado that reaches nearly 14,000 feet.

They were expected to return either Saturday, October 24, or Sunday, October 25, depending on weather conditions and whether they felt safe continuing their planned route.

When neither student returned, concerns quickly grew.

College staff contacted the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office on Monday morning, October 26, prompting an official missing-person search.

Investigators located Matsuda’s vehicle near the Mt. Huron trailhead, where snow had already accumulated.

A COLLAPSED TENT WAS FOUND BURIED UNDER SNOW

As the search expanded, rescuers faced increasingly difficult conditions.

A helicopter spotted an object near Lake Ann on Tuesday, October 27. Ground searchers were sent to investigate and discovered that it was the students’ tent, which had collapsed beneath the weight of accumulated snow.

Inside were sleeping bags, a camping stove, clothing and other supplies.

But Kaden and Jackson were nowhere to be found.

Investigators noted that there was no snow beneath the tent and no visible footprints around it, suggesting the shelter had been in place before the snowfall.

The discovery raised further questions about where the two students had gone after leaving their campsite.

HEAVY SNOW MADE THE SEARCH EXTREMELY DIFFICULT

The weather had changed dramatically after the students began their trip.

Rain fell in the area on Friday, followed by significant snowfall beginning Saturday afternoon. Ice Mountain received approximately one to two feet of snow, with deeper accumulations in some locations because of drifting.

The sheriff’s office had previously warned that Ice Mountain was a highly technical climb requiring considerable experience, even in dry conditions.

Once snow and ice covered the terrain, reaching certain areas became dangerous for search teams.

Rescuers used helicopters, drones, infrared technology and trained dogs to cover as much ground as possible. Faculty members with specialized mountain travel and rescue experience also assisted.

Authorities were particularly concerned that another approaching storm could further limit their search opportunities.

THE TWO STUDENTS WERE FOUND ON A NEARBY MOUNTAIN

On Wednesday afternoon, October 28, search teams located the students’ bodies in a basin on West Apostle Mountain.

The discovery was made at approximately 3:30 p.m. local time.

Based on the location of their campsite and the area where they were found, investigators believed the students may have changed their original plans and headed toward West Apostle Mountain rather than continuing directly to Ice Mountain.

Authorities have not established exactly what happened during their final hours.

Sheriff Andy Rohrich expressed condolences to the families and friends of both students, saying the discovery would provide some closure after days of uncertainty.

He also asked the public to give their loved ones privacy as they begin grieving.

TWO YOUNG MEN WITH BIG DREAMS

Kaden and Jackson were not simply classmates who shared a hiking trip. Both were pursuing futures connected to the outdoors.

Matsuda, from Ridgway, Colorado, was studying to become a wildland firefighter.

Donlon, originally from New York, was studying outdoor recreation leadership and hoped to become a mountain guide. He was also passionate about climbing and skiing.

Colorado Mountain College described their loss as devastating, saying both young men had been important members of its community.

“They came here to learn, to explore and to build their futures,” campus dean Ben Cairns said. “Their lives were full of promise, and their loss is felt deeply by the students, faculty and staff who knew them.” <Cite refs={[“turn434295search1″,”turn434295search3”]}/>

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES AS FAMILIES MOURN

The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that foul play is not suspected.

However, officials have declined to speculate about the precise circumstances surrounding the deaths until autopsies and further investigative work are completed.

The tragedy has also renewed attention on the unpredictable conditions of high-altitude mountain travel, particularly when autumn weather rapidly turns into winter conditions.

For the families, classmates and friends of Kaden Matsuda and Jackson Donlon, the end of the search brings the painful reality of losing two young men whose futures were still ahead of them.

They had set out to explore the mountains together. Their journey ended far from home, leaving a college community and two grieving families searching for answers.