Colorado search for two missing hikers intensifies after collapsed tent found near Lake Ann

Key points

• Matsuda and Donlon left campus on Friday, Oct. 23, for a hike on Ice Mountain, a 14,000-foot peak in Chaffee County.
• Heavy snow fell Saturday afternoon, dropping 8 inches at the trailhead and up to 4 feet on the mountain due to drifting.
• A helicopter spotted their collapsed tent near Lake Ann on Tuesday; sleeping bags, a stove, and clothing were found inside, but the men were absent.
• No footprints were found in the snow around the tent or Matsuda's car, suggesting the camp was set up before the storm.
• Sheriff Andy Rohrich stated the pair are experienced and physically fit, but poor weather is expected later this week, narrowing the rescue window.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of high-profile missing person cases in mountainous regions this year, including the recovery of a University of Maryland student in October and two fatalities on Washington's Sauk Mountain in September. These prior cases highlight the dangers of technical climbs and the complexities of search operations in remote, snow-covered terrain.

How outlets are covering it

All four sources agree on the core facts: the students' identities, the timeline, the discovery of the tent, and the lack of footprints. The New York Post emphasizes the 'devastating' nature of the discovery and the closing window for rescue. The Denver Post provides logistical details, noting that 50 searchers from five counties are involved and that teams are considering destinations other than Ice Mountain. ABC News highlights the forensic examination of the phones, noting that cellular service is nonexistent in the area, which may explain why the devices were unused for 48 hours. KRDO adds specific geographic details, such as the car being found near Winfield and the plan to use a scent-tracking dog from the tent.

Why it matters

The case underscores the extreme risks of technical mountain climbs in early winter conditions. The rapid deterioration of weather and the difficulty of accessing Ice Mountain due to ice and snow highlight the challenges faced by search and rescue teams in remote Colorado locations.

What to watch

Search teams plan to bring in a scent-tracking dog to the tent site. Authorities are expanding the search area to consider other potential destinations the hikers may have been heading to, while preparing for more poor weather later in the week.