Two Colorado college students, Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, were found dead Wednesday afternoon after disappearing during a planned hike, the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday. The pair were discovered in a basin on West Apostle Mountain in Chaffee County.
Authorities stated that foul play is not suspected and that theories regarding the cause of death will not be offered until autopsies are completed. The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office received a report of the missing hikers from Colorado Mountain College Leadville staff on Monday.
Friends and family informed authorities that Matsuda and Donlon had planned to hike Ice Mountain, located on the far north end of Chaffee County, southeast of Aspen in the Rocky Mountains. According to acquaintances, the students had planned to return Saturday if conditions were unsafe or Sunday if they proceeded with the Ice Mountain climb. Those close to the hikers described them as experienced and stated they should have been equipped with appropriate clothing.
Matsuda's vehicle was found at the trailhead, with approximately eight inches of snow present. However, no snow was found underneath the vehicle, suggesting the snow fell after their arrival. It had been raining on Friday when the students began their hike, and began snowing on Saturday afternoon, according to officials.
Search and rescue teams initiated a mission for the missing hikers. Forensic examination of their phones indicated no activity in the 48 hours prior to their discovery. The sheriff's office noted that cell service in the area is minimal and the phones could have been turned off to conserve battery.
On Tuesday, a helicopter spotted an object near Lake Ann. A ground team investigated and found the hikers' tent, which had collapsed under the weight of the snow. There were no footprints in the snow around the tent, indicating it was in place before the snowfall. Sleeping bags, a stove, and some clothing were found inside the tent, but Matsuda and Donlon were not present.
Ice Mountain is described by authorities as a technically challenging climb, even in dry conditions, and is recommended for experienced hikers. The mountain received one to two feet of snow, with drifts reaching three to four feet in some areas due to sluffing and drifting.
A spokesperson for Colorado Mountain College confirmed that staff and faculty were providing support to students. Several faculty members with specialized training in mountain travel and rescue had assisted in the search efforts. The college identified the missing students as Kaden Matsuda and Jackson Donlon. Images show a mountainous terrain with snow. The search party found a collapsed tent belonging to the hikers. They were found on West Apostle Mountain, in a basin area.