Two college students found in Chaffee County basin after snowstorm

The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Department confirmed Wednesday night that two college students have been found in the mountains.

Kaden Matsuda, 19, of Ridgway, and Jackson Donlon, 20, of New York, were both students at Colorado Mountain College. Their bodies were located in a basin on West Apostle Mountain. Officials made the discovery around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The pair had planned a weekend trip to Ice Mountain. They left Leadville on Friday with maps and detailed itinerary information. A storm hit the area on Saturday, dropping one to two feet of snow. Family members called law enforcement on Monday morning when the students did not return as scheduled.

Searchers found the students' vehicle at a trailhead near Winfield. The car was covered in about eight inches of snow. Later, search teams located the tent and personal belongings buried under snow. The location of the gear led officials to expand the search to the area around West Apostle Mountain, which stands at 13,597 feet.

Chaffee County Search and Rescue launched a larger mission on Monday. Roughly 50 searchers were active in the field on Wednesday. The operation utilized drones, helicopters, and multimission aircraft equipped with infrared technology. Search dogs also assisted at the trailhead. Despite the fresh snow, officials noted that no tracks were found near Ice Mountain, where snowdrifts reached four feet in height.

Sheriff Andy Rohrich stated that foul play is not suspected. The department said it will wait for an autopsy before offering theories on what happened. A detailed investigation is ongoing in partnership with the Chaffee County Coroner’s Office. The two men were found near each other.

Matsuda was studying to become a wildland firefighter. Donlon was studying to become a mountain guide. Officials noted on Tuesday that they had hoped the men's experience would help them survive the conditions. The students' phones had not been used for two days, and officials said there was likely no cellular service in that specific area.

Colorado Mountain College officials issued a statement Wednesday night. They expressed pride in the search and rescue professionals and volunteers who helped locate the students. The college said it is focusing on supporting the students, faculty, and staff during the difficult days ahead.