Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich confirmed that two Colorado Mountain College students lost their lives while rappelling on West Apostle Mountain last week. Kaden Matsuda, 19, of Ridgway, and Jackson Donlon, 20, of Queensbury, New York, were attached to the same anchor when a rock they were secured to likely gave way, causing them to fall a “substantial distance” into a snow‑filled basin.
Details of the tragedy
The autopsy reports from the Chaffee County coroner’s office indicated that both students died instantly from multiple blunt‑force injuries. Their bodies were recovered from a basin on the western side of the mountain, roughly 100 miles southeast of Aspen.
According to the sheriff’s statement, the heavy snowstorm that later dumped up to two feet of snow was not a direct factor in the accident. The students had set out from Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus for a weekend climbing trip. While the original plan targeted Ice Mountain (13,958 ft), the pair appears to have switched to West Apostle Mountain (13,597 ft) before the fatal descent.
What happened on the climb
Donlon was beginning to rappel from an anchor point that was backed up by additional protections when the rock anchor failed, Rohrich said. Matsuda, who was tied to the same anchor, fell with him. The exact distance of the fall was not determined, but officials described it as a “long distance.”
Rohrich emphasized that, unlike many similar incidents, there was no clear mistake to pinpoint. “In most similar cases that have led to a devastating conclusion we find it easy to pick apart what was done wrong. That was not the case with Kaden and Jackson,” he said.
Background on the students and the college
Matsuda was studying to become a wildland firefighter, while Donlon was pursuing a degree in outdoor recreation leadership. Both had become fast friends at Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus, a school known for its programs that support Colorado’s robust outdoor recreation economy, including mountaineering, ski patrol, and guiding careers.
Leadville, billed as America’s highest incorporated city at 10,119 ft, sits about 100 miles west of Denver and is home to roughly 2,600 residents. The town’s proximity to some of Colorado’s tallest peaks makes it a hub for students and professionals drawn to the state’s mountain culture.
Community response
Sheriff Rohrich praised the students for their love of the outdoors and their preparation for the climb. “While their lives were far too short, they spent their final moments together surrounded by the majestic beauty of Chaffee County’s high peaks that they loved,” he said, adding that there was “relief knowing neither of them suffered”.
The tragedy has resonated deeply within the local climbing and outdoor‑recreation community, prompting calls for continued emphasis on safety training and equipment checks for all mountain pursuits.
Safety considerations
Officials reminded climbers that anchor integrity is critical, especially in areas with loose rock and variable weather conditions. While the storm that followed was not deemed a direct cause, the presence of rain and later heavy snowfall underscores the importance of monitoring weather forecasts and adjusting plans accordingly.
Colorado Mountain College has not released a formal statement beyond acknowledging the loss of two promising students. The college’s outdoor‑recreation programs continue to serve as a pipeline for future guides, firefighters, and outdoor‑industry professionals.
Investigation ongoing
The sheriff’s office is continuing its investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the anchor failure. No criminal activity is suspected, and the focus remains on understanding the technical factors that led to the accident.
Friends, family, and classmates are encouraged to reach out to local counseling services if they need support during this difficult time.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
