Chaffee County, Colorado – A tragic mountain accident claimed the lives of two Colorado Mountain College students on Oct. 28. The students, identified as 20‑year‑old Jackson Donlon of New York and 19‑year‑old Kaden Matsuda of Ridgway, Colorado, were found dead in a basin on West Apostle Mountain after a multi‑agency search effort.
Timeline of the ill‑fated hike
Donlon and Matsuda departed from the college’s Leadville campus on Friday, Oct. 23, intending to hike Ice Mountain, a technical climb in northern Chaffee County. The pair were expected back by Sunday but failed to return, prompting a missing‑person report on Monday, Oct. 26.
Deputies later located Matsuda’s vehicle near the Mount Huron trailhead, confirming the hikers had entered the backcountry. Severe weather quickly descended on the area, bringing heavy snowfall and several feet of ice that complicated rescue operations.
Search efforts
On Tuesday, Oct. 27, a helicopter spotted an object near Lake Ann. Search crews determined it was the hikers’ tent, which had collapsed under the weight of the snow. Inside the tent were sleeping bags, clothing and a stove, but no sign of the students.
Search teams, including roughly 60 personnel from multiple counties, deployed helicopters, drones, search dogs and other equipment to scour the rugged terrain. As the investigation progressed, authorities shifted focus to West Apostle Mountain after the tent’s location suggested the hikers may have attempted to summit that peak.
Discovery and investigation
At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, search crews located the bodies of Donlon and Matsuda near each other in a basin on West Apostle Mountain. The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office said foul play is not suspected.
The cause of death has not yet been determined. The sheriff’s office will conduct a detailed investigation in partnership with the Chaffee County Coroner’s Office to ascertain the factors that led to the fatal outcome.
Community response
The loss of two young college students has resonated deeply with the Colorado Mountain College community and the broader Chaffee County area. Friends, family members and classmates have expressed sorrow and offered support to the families during this difficult time.
Authorities reminded the public that mountain conditions can change rapidly, especially in early winter, and urged hikers to check weather forecasts, carry appropriate gear, and travel with a plan that includes notifying others of their intended route and expected return time.
Original reporting: CBS 6 WRGB Albany (local) — read the source article.
