TWO COLLEGE STUDENTS VANISH DURING COLORADO MOUNTAIN HIKE — DAYS LATER, RESCUERS MAKE A HEARTBREAKING DISCOVERY

Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, were found in a remote mountain basin after a massive search operation involving dozens of rescuers, helicopters, drones and search dogs.

A weekend hiking trip in the Colorado Rocky Mountains ended in tragedy after two college students who had disappeared during their outdoor adventure were found deceased several days later.

Kaden Matsuda, 19, of Ridgway, Colorado, and Jackson Donlon, 20, of Queensbury, New York, were students at Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus. The two young men had developed a close friendship through their shared passion for the outdoors.

According to the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, the students left campus on Friday, October 23, 2026, for a hiking trip in Chaffee County. They initially planned to climb Ice Mountain, a 13,958-foot peak known for its challenging technical terrain.

They were expected to return by Saturday or Sunday. However, when they failed to come back and could no longer be reached, college staff reported them missing on Monday morning, October 26.

What followed was an extensive search across some of Colorado’s most difficult mountain terrain.

Their vehicle was found — but the students were nowhere to be seen

Investigators learned that the students had planned to access the mountain through the Mount Huron trailhead near Winfield.

Deputies located Kaden’s vehicle near the trailhead, giving search teams an important starting point.

The operation quickly became more challenging as rescuers faced deteriorating weather conditions. Rain had affected the area over the weekend before heavy snowfall covered parts of the mountains.

Authorities said Ice Mountain was already considered a highly technical climb requiring significant experience, even in dry conditions. Fresh snow made the terrain considerably more difficult and dangerous.

On Tuesday, October 27, a helicopter spotted an object near Lake Ann. Search crews later discovered that it was the students’ tent, which had collapsed beneath the weight of the snow.

Inside, they found sleeping bags, a camping stove, clothing and other belongings.

But Kaden and Jackson were missing.

The discovery raised further questions about where the young men had gone after leaving their campsite.

Searchers uncovered a possible change of plans

As investigators examined the location of the tent and the surrounding terrain, they began considering whether the students had changed their original destination.

Authorities believed they may have headed toward West Apostle Mountain instead of continuing with their initial plan to climb Ice Mountain.

Their technical climbing equipment was also missing from the tent, their dormitories and their vehicle, suggesting they may have left the campsite intending to attempt another challenging climb.

The search expanded across the mountainous region.

Approximately 60 search-and-rescue personnel and volunteers from multiple counties took part in the operation. Helicopters, drones, trained search dogs and specialized rescue teams were deployed to help locate the missing students.

The difficult weather and remote landscape made the operation especially demanding.

The heartbreaking discovery on West Apostle Mountain

On Wednesday, October 28, authorities announced that both students had been located deceased.

Their bodies were discovered at approximately 3:30 p.m. in a basin on West Apostle Mountain in Chaffee County. According to the sheriff’s office, the two were found near one another.

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

However, officials emphasized that the circumstances surrounding their deaths had not yet been determined.

“We will not offer theories as to what may have happened until an autopsy can be completed,” the department said in its announcement.

Sheriff Andy Rohrich expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the young men, while also recognizing the efforts of the search teams who worked through difficult conditions.

“Our heart aches for Kaden and Jackson’s family and friends,” he said.

He also asked the public to give their loved ones time and privacy as they grieve.

Because of severe weather and difficult access to the remote basin, recovering the students’ bodies required additional planning. The Associated Press later reported that helicopter crews recovered them from the snow-covered area.

Two young men with big dreams and a love for the outdoors

Beyond the circumstances of the search, the loss has deeply affected the Colorado Mountain College community.

Kaden was studying to become a wildland firefighter. Those who knew him described him as kind, intelligent and welcoming.

Jackson, originally from Queensbury, New York, was an avid climber and skier who had moved to Colorado to pursue his passion for the mountains. He was studying outdoor recreation leadership and had previously graduated from Queensbury High School in 2024.

The school’s campus dean, Ben Cairns, spoke about the young men and the futures they had been working toward.

“They came here to learn, to explore and to build their futures,” Cairns said. “Their lives were full of promise, and their loss is felt deeply by the students, faculty and staff who knew them.”

Colorado Mountain College also expressed its devastation, extending condolences to the families, friends, classmates and everyone who had known the students.

The college said it was focused on providing emotional support to those affected by the loss and expressed gratitude to the rescue professionals and volunteers who had worked tirelessly during the search.

Investigation continues as families mourn

Authorities are continuing their investigation in partnership with the Chaffee County Coroner’s Office. Autopsies are expected to help establish the circumstances and causes of the students’ deaths.

For now, many questions remain unanswered about what happened after the two friends left their tent and continued into the mountains.

What began as a weekend adventure for two young men who shared a love of climbing and the outdoors has ended in an immeasurable loss for their families, friends and college community.

As loved ones remember Kaden and Jackson, the school is asking everyone to respect the privacy of those closest to them during this difficult time.