Colorado Mountain College students found dead after fatal Ice Mountain hike

Key points

• Bodies of Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, were discovered at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in a basin on West Apostle Mountain in Chaffee County, Colorado.
• The students left Colorado Mountain College Leadville on Friday, Oct. 23, for a hike near Ice Mountain, which is recommended only for experienced climbers in dry conditions.
• A heavy snowstorm hit the area on Saturday, accumulating one to two feet of snow on Ice Mountain and several feet in drifts, complicating the search.
• Approximately 60 search and rescue volunteers from six counties used helicopters, drones, and search dogs to locate the students before a forecasted storm on Friday.
• The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office stated that foul play is not suspected, and the cause of death will be determined by autopsies at the Chaffee County Coroner's Office.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of hazardous mountain conditions in Colorado's '14er' region, where peaks above 14,000 feet pose significant risks during early winter. Previous archive entries confirm the timeline of the search and the involvement of local authorities, but no new developments have emerged since the initial discovery on Wednesday.

How outlets are covering it

Fox News emphasized the emotional toll on the families and the extensive logistical effort of the search, noting the students' backgrounds as a wildland firefighter and mountain guide. The New York Times highlighted the specific discovery method, noting that a yellow boot was spotted by ground teams using binoculars, which was not visible from the air. KKTV focused on the college's response and the use of scent articles from the tent to guide search dogs. ABC News detailed the forensic analysis of the students' phones, which had not been used in 48 hours, and the absence of advanced climbing gear in their dorm rooms, suggesting they had prepared for a technical climb.

Why it matters

The case underscores the extreme dangers of mountain hiking in Colorado during early winter, particularly when weather conditions deteriorate rapidly. It highlights the challenges faced by search and rescue teams in navigating treacherous terrain and the importance of proper equipment and planning for technical climbs.

What to watch

Autopsies will determine the exact cause and manner of death. The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the hike, while Colorado Mountain College provides support to the students' families and the broader community.