TWO COLLEGE HIKERS VANISH IN COLORADO MOUNTAINS — COLLAPSED TENT FOUND BURIED IN SNOW WITH GEAR STILL INSIDE
Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, have been missing since a weekend hiking trip. Rescuers discovered their snow-covered tent near Lake Ann, but there was no sign of the two young men.
A desperate search is underway in the Colorado mountains for two college students who disappeared during a hiking trip, leaving behind a collapsed tent and camping equipment as severe winter weather swept across the rugged terrain.
Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, both students at Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus, left on Friday, October 23, planning to hike in Chaffee County. They were expected to return over the weekend, but their families and friends never heard from them again.
On Monday, October 26, the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office was notified that the pair had not returned. Deputies soon located Matsuda’s vehicle near the Mount Huron trailhead, giving search teams an important starting point.
But the discovery of their tent the following day raised even more questions about where the students might have gone.
TENT FOUND COLLAPSED UNDER HEAVY SNOW
On Tuesday, October 27, a helicopter spotted an object near Lake Ann. A team sent to investigate discovered that it was a tent believed to belong to the missing hikers.
The tent had collapsed beneath the weight of accumulated snow.
Inside, rescuers found sleeping bags, clothing and a camping stove. However, neither Kaden nor Jackson was at the campsite.
Investigators also reported no visible footprints in the surrounding snow. The absence of tracks has made it difficult to determine when the students left the tent or which direction they may have travelled.
Officials said there was no snow beneath the tent, suggesting it had been set up before the snowfall began.
The discovery provided evidence of where the students may have camped, but it did not reveal their current whereabouts.
A SUDDEN CHANGE IN WEATHER
The search has been complicated by harsh conditions across the mountainous area.
Rain fell intermittently before snow began arriving on Saturday afternoon. Around eight inches of snow accumulated near the trailhead, while Ice Mountain received approximately one to two feet. Drifting and deeper accumulations created areas with as much as three to four feet of snow.
The mountain’s terrain has also become icy, making it extremely dangerous for rescuers to cross snow-covered boulder fields. Officials said there were few viable options for helicopter landings on the mountain itself.
Ice Mountain is considered a technical climb that requires considerable experience even in dry conditions. The combination of ice, deep snow and difficult access has made the operation particularly challenging.
Another round of poor weather was expected later in the week, raising concerns that aircraft could be grounded and some areas could become even harder to reach.
DOZENS OF SEARCHERS JOIN THE OPERATION
Search teams have been using helicopters, drones, aircraft equipped with infrared technology and search dogs to examine the area around Ice Mountain and nearby peaks.
Approximately 50 searchers from multiple agencies were involved in the operation on Tuesday, with additional resources supporting the effort.
Authorities also examined information from the students’ cellphones. Reports indicated neither phone had been used during the preceding 48 hours.
However, investigators cautioned that the area has extremely limited cellular service. The students may also have switched off their phones to preserve battery power, meaning the lack of recent activity does not establish what happened to them.
Officials have expanded their investigation beyond the original destination, considering whether the pair may have travelled toward another mountain or hiking route.
EXPERIENCED HIKERS WHO UNDERSTOOD THE MOUNTAINS
Friends and family have described both students as experienced hikers who were expected to carry suitable clothing and equipment for their trip.
Before setting out, the pair reportedly shared a map with friends showing Ice Mountain as their intended destination and marking the Mount Huron trailhead area.
They had also planned to return on Saturday if conditions felt unsafe or on Sunday if they continued with the hike.
Matsuda, who is from Ridgway, Colorado, was studying to become a wildland firefighter. Donlon, who is from New York, was pursuing training related to becoming a mountain guide.
Their experience has given loved ones reason to hope that they may have been able to find shelter, but authorities have not confirmed where the two men went after leaving their campsite.
SHERIFF SAYS HOPE HAS NOT BEEN LOST
Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich acknowledged the distress facing the students’ families and said rescuers were using all available resources while the weather allowed.
He expressed hope that the young men might have found shelter somewhere in the mountains and be waiting to be rescued.
At the same time, officials warned that the search window was narrowing as another period of poor weather approached.
The collapsed tent, abandoned camping equipment and absence of visible tracks have left investigators with unanswered questions. Searchers are continuing to examine the surrounding terrain and possible alternative destinations in the effort to locate the students.
For the families and friends of Kaden Matsuda and Jackson Donlon, every passing hour brings uncertainty. Their loved ones are hoping the two young men can still be found and brought home safely.
The search remains active, and authorities have not confirmed the students’ whereabouts. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office.
Sources: Associated Press | Colorado Public Radio | CBS Colorado
