Two Colorado college hikers found dead after multi-day search
Two college students who disappeared while attempting a technical climb on Ice Mountain in Colorado were discovered deceased on Oct. 28, authorities said.
A multi-day search for two missing college students ended on Oct. 28 when their bodies were recovered in a basin on West Apostle Mountain in Chaffee County, Colorado. The students, 19-year-old Kaden Matsuda of Ridgway, Colorado, and 20-year-old Jackson Donlon of New York, had left the Colorado Mountain College Leadville Campus for a hike on Oct. 23 and were reported missing on Oct. 26 after failing to return.
Sheriff Andy Rohrich said the search involved dozens of personnel, dogs, drones, helicopters and infrared technology. He added, "> Our heart aches for Kaden and Jackson’s family and friends. We are very proud of our team’s efforts to find them before this weekend’s coming storm."
Matsuda and Donlon had planned to climb Ice Mountain, described as a very technical route recommended for advanced hikers, and intended to return by Oct. 24 or 25. Their vehicle was located at the trailhead, but recent snowfall on Oct. 24 left the mountain covered in ice and up to two feet of snow, making foot travel and helicopter landings extremely hazardous.
On Oct. 27 a helicopter spotted an object that turned out to be the hikers’ collapsed tent, still containing sleeping bags and supplies, indicating they had taken advanced climbing gear with them. The sheriff’s office said no foul play was suspected, and investigators will await autopsy results before releasing further details.
Matsuda was studying to become a wildland firefighter, while Donlon was training to be a mountain guide, the sheriff noted.