Two college students, Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, died instantly on Colorado's Ice Mountain after a rappelling anchor catastrophically failed, according to a medical examiner.
The pair were reported missing by staff at Colorado Mountain College Leadville Campus when they did not return from their hike on October 23. Following a 48-hour search, their bodies were discovered next to each other near a basin on West Apostle Mountain.
An autopsy performed on November 2 determined that both hikers sustained multiple blunt force injuries, leading to instant death. Investigators found that the anchor Donlon was using for rappelling, which was backed up by a metal spike and a secondary anchor, failed for an unknown reason, causing both individuals to fall a substantial distance.
Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich expressed his condolences, noting that the hikers were experienced and had planned to return if they felt unsafe. Their belongings, including a tent, sleeping bags, a stove, and clothing, were found near the hiking spot, and Matsuda's car was located on a nearby trail buried in snow. The sheriff stated that unlike many similar incidents, investigators found no clear errors in the hikers' preparation. Matsuda and Donlon had shared a map plot of their intended hike with friends, indicating their plan to ascend the 13,958-foot peak. Matsuda's vehicle was located on a nearby trail, eight inches deep in snow, while their tent, containing sleeping bags and clothing, had collapsed under the snow.