TWO COLLEGE STUDENTS, 19 AND 20, FOUND DEAD AFTER DISAPPEARING DURING COLORADO MOUNTAIN HIKE
The bodies of Kaden Matsuda and Jackson Donlon were discovered beneath deep snow on West Apostle Mountain after an extensive search involving around 60 rescuers. The two friends had left campus for a weekend hiking trip and never returned.
A WEEKEND HIKE THAT ENDED IN tᩚraɢedy
Two college students who disappeared during a hiking trip in the Colorado Rockies have been found dead, bringing a heartbreaking end to a days-long search.
Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, were students at Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus.
The two friends left campus on Friday, October 23, planning a hiking trip in Chaffee County. They were expected to return over the weekend, depending on weather conditions and whether they felt safe continuing their route.
When they failed to return, college staff contacted the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, October 26.
Their families and friends told investigators that the pair had initially planned to hike Ice Mountain, a challenging peak in the northern part of the county.
A SEARCH AGAINST DANGEROUS WEATHER
Deputies located Kaden’s vehicle near the Mount Huron trailhead, helping search teams narrow down the area where the students might have travelled.
But the conditions were becoming increasingly dangerous.
Rain had fallen before heavy snowfall arrived on Saturday afternoon. Ice Mountain received approximately one to two feet of snow, with drifting and accumulated snow reaching three to four feet in some locations.
Search teams deployed helicopters, drones equipped with infrared technology, search dogs and ground crews.
Around 60 searchers from multiple agencies eventually took part in the operation.
The students’ collapsed tent was spotted near Lake Ann on Tuesday. Inside, rescuers found sleeping bags, a stove and clothing, but neither young man was there.
The discovery prompted investigators to expand their search around the surrounding mountain terrain.
A BOOT IN THE SNOW LED RESCUERS TO THEM
On Wednesday afternoon, October 28, a search team noticed an object barely visible above the snow in a basin beneath West Apostle Mountain.
Using binoculars from a safer location, rescuers identified what appeared to be part of a boot.
A team then carefully entered the hazardous area and discovered the bodies of Kaden and Jackson near one another.
The location was approximately one mile from their collapsed tent, although the difficult terrain meant that experienced rescuers needed around two and a half hours to travel between the two locations.
The area contained deep snow, steep cliffs, boulder fields and avalanche chutes.
Because conditions were too dangerous for an immediate recovery, the bodies were brought out by helicopter on Thursday, October 29.
TWO YOUNG MEN WITH DREAMS OF WORKING OUTDOORS
Both students had a strong interest in the outdoors and were pursuing careers connected to the natural environment.
Kaden, from Ridgway, Colorado, was studying to become a wildland firefighter.
Jackson, from Queensbury, New York, was studying outdoor recreation leadership and had experience in skiing and climbing. He hoped to pursue a career as a mountain guide.
Friends and family had described the pair as experienced hikers who were expected to have appropriate clothing and equipment for their trip.
Their ambitions and love of the outdoors made the loss especially difficult for the college community.
THEIR COLLEGE COMMUNITY MOURNS
Colorado Mountain College released a statement expressing devastation over the deaths of two members of its community.
“Our hearts are with their families, friends, classmates, faculty and everyone who knew and cared about them,” the college said.
The school also thanked the search-and-rescue professionals and volunteers who devoted themselves to finding the students.
Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich said his thoughts were with the families and friends of both young men.
He also asked the public to give their loved ones privacy as they grieve.
INVESTIGATION INTO THEIR FINAL HOURS
Authorities have said that foul play is not suspected. However, they have not confirmed the exact circumstances that led to the students’ deaths.
Autopsies were scheduled as part of the investigation.
The discovery of Kaden and Jackson brought an end to the search, but left two families and a college community mourning the loss of two young men whose lives and ambitions had only just begun.
