Two Colorado college students were found dead after going missing during a hiking trip in the Rocky Mountains last weekend, when a heavy snowstorm hit, authorities reported.
The bodies of Kaden Matsuda, 19, of Ridgway, Colorado, and Jackson Donlon, 20, of New York were discovered Wednesday afternoon in a basin on West Apostle Mountain, roughly 100 miles southeast of Aspen, according to the Chaffee County sheriff’s office.
The pair departed from Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus on Friday, informing family and friends of their plan to hike Ice Mountain, a nearly 14,000-foot (4,270-meter) peak requiring technical climbing near West Apostle Mountain. They were expected to return by Sunday, but college staff reported them missing on Monday morning.
The sheriff’s office stated that the cause of death is under investigation, though foul play is not suspected. Authorities said they will withhold theories until autopsies are complete.
“Our hearts ache for Kaden and Jackson’s family and friends,” said Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich in a Wednesday night statement. “We are proud of our team’s efforts to locate them before this weekend’s approaching storm. Though this is a gut punch, we are relieved we found them, offering some closure to their loved ones.”
Approximately 60 search and rescue volunteers, supported by helicopters, drones, and dogs, participated in the search for the two men.
A helicopter crew located a tent collapsed under snow, containing sleeping bags, a stove, and clothing near a lake northwest of Ice Mountain on Tuesday, though the students were not inside.
Based on the tent’s position, officials believe the hikers were targeting the 13,597-foot West Apostle Mountain.
Friends and family described both men as experienced hikers and climbers.
The sheriff’s office reported that climbing equipment was missing from the men’s dorms, tent, and vehicle, suggesting they exited the tent prepared for a technical climb. Trash inside the tent indicated they had eaten prior to hiking, officials said.
Rohrich confirmed that Matsuda was studying to become a wildland firefighter, while Donlon was training to become a mountain guide.
Authorities had worried that aerial searches could be limited later in the week due to expected poor weather beginning Friday.
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