2 Colorado college students found dead after snowstorm during hike
Rescuers found the students in West Apostle Mountain in Chaffee County on Oct. 28. The hikers had been missing since they left campus on Friday, Oct. 23.
Climbing rangers brought an injured hiker to safety Oct. 20 on Mount Shasta, California, after reaching him Oct. 19 and staying overnight. The 39-year-old hiker broke his leg Oct. 18 on Whitney Glacier.
Two college students were found dead after they went missing during a hike in Chaffee County, Colorado.
Chaffee County Sheriff's Office reported that 19-year-old Kaden Matsuda from Ridgway and 20-year-old Jackson Donlon, both from New York, were located near each other in a basin of West Apostle Mountain on Oct. 28 at about 3:30 p.m. MDT. Officials do not suspect foul play, noting that more information will be available once an autopsy can be completed.
“Our heart aches for Kaden and Jackson’s family and friends," Sheriff Andy Rohrich said in an update. "We are very proud of our team’s efforts to find them before this weekend’s coming storm. Although this is a gut punch, our prayers were answered that we would find Kaden and Jackson, allowing some closure for the family."
Colorado Mountain College staff called the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office Monday, Oct. 26, to report that Matsuda and Donlon left the Leadville Campus for a hike on Friday, Oct. 23, and had not returned. Officials later learned that the two planned to hike Ice Mountain, a 13,958-foot peak on the far north end of the county.
Kaden Matsuda (left) and Jackson Donlon (right), the two missing hikers from Colorado Mountain College Leadville Campus. (Credit: Chaffee County Sheriff's Office)
Deputies responded to the Mt. Huron trailhead, which is typically used to access Ice Mountain, and found Matsuda's car. There was about 8 inches of snow on the ground but none under the car. Officials said it would have been raining when the pair ventured to the mountain on Friday, and it did not start snowing until Saturday.
Matsuda and Donlon planned to return on Saturday or Sunday, depending on whether they felt safe to continue to Ice Mountain, according to the sheriff's office. Family and friends said the two were experienced hikers and likely had appropriate clothing.
Rescue teams, including aircraft and search dogs, searched the area on Monday but were unable to locate the two hikers. Their phones had not been used in the past two days, but officials said service in the area is "nonexistent" and it is possible they were trying to preserve the batteries.
Efforts continued Tuesday, Oct. 27, with a helicopter locating an object near Lake Ann. It was deemed to be a tent that had collapsed under the weight of the snow but had been in place before the weather came in. Matsuda and Donlon's sleeping bags, some clothing and a stove were inside the tent, but the pair were not found.
Ice Mountain known for difficult weather conditions
Images of Ice Mountain, a 13,958-foot peak located in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness of the Sawatch Range in Colorado. (Credit: Chaffee County Sheriff's Office)
Ice Mountain is a "very technical climb" recommended for experienced hikers, according to the sheriff's office. Earning its name from being encased in ice from rain and snow, the mountain had received 1 to 2 feet of snow, despite there being only 8 inches around Matsuda's car. Snow tends to pile up in other areas because of drifting, making access especially difficult. The sheriff's office noted that avalanche possibilities were not a huge concern since it was the first big snow of the season.
Report a Typo
