A collapsed tent buried in fresh snow is the only clue left of two college hikers still unaccounted for in Colorado's Rockies.
Key points
- Kaden Matsuda (19) and Jackson Donlon (20) remain missing after a planned Ice Mountain hike.
- Rescuers found their tent collapsed under fresh snow, containing gear but no sign of the hikers.
- Phones show no activity for 48 hours; limited cell service and heavy snowfall complicate the search.
- Sheriff’s office remains hopeful but warns that worsening weather is narrowing the rescue window.
Two Colorado Mountain College students, 19‑year‑old Kaden Matsuda and 20‑year‑old Jackson Donlon, have been missing since they left the Leadville campus for a hike on Friday, according to the Chaffey County Sheriff’s Office.
Friends said the pair planned to climb Ice Mountain, a technical summit on the far north end of Chaffey County southeast of Aspen, and intended to return Saturday if conditions felt unsafe, or continue to the summit and head back on Sunday.
Missing hikers and timeline
College staff reported the hikers missing on Monday, prompting a search that noted the students’ phones had not been used for 48 hours and their car was found at the trailhead with about eight inches of snow on the ground but none under the vehicle.
On Tuesday a helicopter spotted an object near Lake Ann; a foot search later confirmed it was the hikers’ tent, collapsed under the weight of new snow. Inside were sleeping bags, a stove and clothing, but no footprints or other signs of the hikers, suggesting the tent was in place before the recent snowfall.
Discovery of the tent
Sheriff Andy Rohrich said officials remain "optimistic" that Matsuda and Donlon are hunkered down somewhere, but warned that the window for rescue is closing as more snow and rain are forecast later in the week. He added that rescuers are also considering other possible destinations the hikers might have headed to.
Colorado Mountain College faculty with specialized mountain‑travel and rescue training have joined the effort, providing on‑the‑ground support while search teams contend with one to two feet of snow in most areas and three to four feet in drift zones.
Search challenges and outlook
As of now, the two hikers have not been located, and authorities continue to deploy all available resources while monitoring the deteriorating weather that could further limit rescue options.
Reader questions
When were the hikers last known to have used their phones?
Forensic examinations indicated the phones had not been used for 48 hours prior to the discovery of the tent.
What conditions are affecting the rescue effort?
The area has received one to two feet of snow, with three to four feet in some drift zones, and poor weather is expected to continue, limiting visibility and mobility.
What is Ice Mountain and why is it considered risky?
Ice Mountain is a technical climb in the Rocky Mountains of Chaffey County, recommended only for experienced hikers when conditions are dry.
Source: abcnews.com