By Karim Hammam
Two Colorado Mountain College students who went missing during a hike last Friday were found dead Wednesday afternoon in a basin of West Apostle Mountain in Chaffee County, the sheriff's office announced early Thursday. Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, left the college's Leadville campus for a planned climb of Ice Mountain and did not return.
Search timeline and discovery
Authorities received a missing persons report from college staff on Monday. Friends told investigators the pair planned to hike Ice Mountain, located southeast of Aspen in the Rocky Mountains, and would return Saturday if they felt unsafe or Sunday if they continued. The hikers were described as experienced and should have had appropriate clothing.
Matsuda's vehicle was found at the trailhead with about eight inches of snow on the ground but none beneath the car, indicating it had been parked before the snowfall. Rain fell in the area Friday, turning to snow Saturday afternoon. Search and rescue teams began operations Tuesday.
Tent found collapsed under snow
On Tuesday, a helicopter spotted an object near Lake Ann. A ground team discovered the hikers' tent collapsed under the weight of snow, with no snow underneath and no visible footprints, suggesting the tent was in place before the storm. Sleeping bags, a stove, and clothing were inside, but the hikers were not there. Forensic analysis showed their phones had not been used for 48 hours, though authorities noted the area has almost no cell service and the phones may have been turned off to conserve battery.
Mountain conditions and investigation
Ice Mountain is considered a very technical climb recommended only for highly experienced hikers, even in dry conditions. The mountain received one to two feet of snow, with three to four feet in some areas due to sluffing and drifting. The sheriff's office said foul play is not suspected and will not offer theories until autopsies are completed.
College community responds
Colorado Mountain College said staff and faculty are providing support to students. Several faculty members with specialized training in mountain travel and rescue assisted with the search effort.
