By Salma El-Sakka
Two Colorado Mountain College students, Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, were found dead Wednesday after disappearing during a weekend hiking and climbing trip in the Rocky Mountains, the college announced Thursday.
Students Were Studying Outdoor Careers
Matsuda, from Ridgway, Colorado, was studying to become a wildland firefighter. Donlon, from Queensbury, New York, was pursuing outdoor recreation leadership and was an avid climber and skier. The college dean, Ben Cairns, praised their promise and passion for the mountains.
Weekend Trip Turns Deadly
The pair set out Friday from the Leadville campus for a planned ascent of Ice Mountain, a 13,958-foot peak. Rain turned into a severe storm Saturday afternoon, dumping up to two feet of snow. They were reported missing Monday, and their bodies were located in a basin on West Apostle Mountain, about 100 miles southeast of Aspen.
Search and Recovery Efforts
Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich said the men were well-prepared and followed safety protocols, but were caught by rapidly changing weather. Search teams, including 60 volunteers, helicopters, drones, and dogs, found a collapsed tent Tuesday but not the students. Their bodies were discovered Wednesday.
Weather Conditions and Preparedness
Authorities believe the students changed their objective to West Apostle Mountain and were equipped for technical climbing. Recovery efforts await calmer winds for helicopter retrieval. Experts note the unforgiving nature of Colorado's high mountains where weather can turn quickly.
