Two college students who went missing during a hiking trip in Colorado have been found dead after a search complicated by heavy snowfall and dangerous mountain conditions. The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, were found Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
The students attended Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus and had left for a hiking trip on October 23. Their disappearance prompted a search involving rescue teams, aircraft, drones and other emergency resources.
What Happened to the Two Hikers at Ice Mountain, Colorado?
Matsuda, who was from Ridgway, Colorado, and Donlon, who was from New York, had planned to hike Ice Mountain in Chaffee County. Friends and family told investigators that the pair intended to return Saturday if conditions became unsafe or Sunday if they continued with their plans.
When the students failed to return, Colorado Mountain College staff contacted the sheriff’s office on Monday, October 26. Deputies subsequently located Matsuda’s vehicle near the Mount Huron trailhead, where snow had accumulated around the area.
Investigators learned that the students were experienced hikers. Matsuda was studying to become a wildland firefighter, while Donlon was pursuing a career as a mountain guide.
Collapsed Tent Found During Colorado Mountain Search
Search crews located the hikers’ tent near Lake Ann on Tuesday, October 27. The tent had collapsed under the weight of accumulated snow, and rescuers found sleeping bags, a camping stove and clothing inside.
However, neither student was at the campsite when the team reached the area. Officials also reported no visible footprints in the surrounding snow, making it difficult to determine where the hikers had gone.
The discovery raised concerns about their whereabouts as rescuers continued examining the surrounding mountain terrain. Investigators also considered the possibility that the students had traveled toward a different peak than their original destination.
Heavy Snow Made the Ice Mountain Rescue Difficult
Weather conditions presented major challenges for the search operation. Rain fell in the area before snow arrived Saturday, and officials reported that Ice Mountain received approximately one to two feet of snow, with deeper accumulations in some locations because of drifting.
The sheriff’s office described Ice Mountain as a highly technical climb that requires considerable experience, even in dry conditions. Snow and ice made steep terrain and boulder fields particularly dangerous for rescuers attempting to reach remote areas on foot.
Search teams used helicopters, drones, infrared-equipped aircraft and search dogs to examine the mountain and surrounding locations. Authorities also warned that another round of poor weather could restrict aerial operations.
Authorities Confirm Deaths of Kaden Matsuda and Jackson Donlon
The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Wednesday evening that both students had been found dead in a basin on West Apostle Mountain, rather than at their originally reported destination of Ice Mountain.
Their deaths brought an end to the search that had continued since the students were reported missing. The sheriff’s office expressed sympathy for their families and friends and thanked the search-and-rescue professionals and volunteers who worked to locate them.
Colorado Mountain College also expressed grief over the loss of two members of its community and acknowledged the efforts of emergency personnel involved in the search and recovery operation.
