Kaden Matsuda and Jackson Donlon Obituary and Cause of Death: Two Colorado Hikers Found Dead Near West Apostle Mountain
CHAFFEE COUNTY, COLORADO — The Colorado outdoor and college communities are grieving the deaths of Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, two students at Colorado Mountain College whose weekend hiking trip ended in tragedy. The young men were found deceased on Wednesday afternoon, October 28, 2026, in a basin near West Apostle Mountain after an extensive search through difficult mountain terrain.
The two students had left the college’s Leadville campus on Friday, October 23, planning a hiking and climbing trip in Chaffee County. When they failed to return as expected, family members, friends, and college staff became concerned. Authorities were notified, and search-and-rescue teams began looking for them.
The search was complicated by heavy snowfall, icy conditions, and challenging terrain. After several days of searching, rescuers located both men at approximately 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed their deaths and said investigators did not suspect foul play. The official cause and manner of death remained pending autopsy findings.
What Happened to Kaden Matsuda and Jackson Donlon?
According to information released by authorities and reported by local news outlets, Matsuda and Donlon left Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus on October 23 for a trip into the mountains. Friends and family told investigators that the pair planned to hike Ice Mountain, a technically demanding peak in the Sawatch Range.
The men were expected to return on Saturday or Sunday, depending on weather and whether they felt conditions were safe enough to continue. After they did not return, college staff contacted the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office on Monday morning, October 26.
Deputies located a vehicle associated with Matsuda near the Mount Huron trailhead, an access point commonly used by people traveling toward Ice Mountain. Search teams began examining the surrounding area, using aircraft, drones, infrared technology, and search dogs.
On Tuesday, a helicopter spotted a tent near Lake Ann. Ground searchers found that it had collapsed beneath the weight of snow. Sleeping bags, a stove, and clothing were inside, but the students were not there. Investigators subsequently expanded the search toward West Apostle Mountain based on information about possible destinations and previous camping locations.
The search concluded with the discovery of both men’s bodies in a basin near West Apostle Mountain on Wednesday afternoon.
Kaden Matsuda Obituary
Kaden Matsuda was 19 and from Ridgway, Colorado. He attended Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus and graduated from Ridgway High School in 2025.
Matsuda was pursuing a future in wildland firefighting. He was also associated with the Log Hill Volunteer Fire Department, reflecting his connection to emergency service and his interest in work that can require courage, preparation, and physical endurance.
News of his death has brought sorrow to those who knew him, including relatives, friends, classmates, and members of the outdoor and firefighting communities. His ambitions pointed toward a career devoted to responding to challenging conditions and helping protect others.
A fuller account of Matsuda’s personal life, including additional family memories and memorial arrangements, may become available through verified announcements from those closest to him. For now, his death represents the loss of a young person who was preparing for his future and developing skills connected to the outdoors.
Jackson Donlon Obituary
Jackson Donlon was 20 and came from New York. He was also a student at Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus and was studying to become a mountain guide.
Mountain guiding requires technical knowledge, sound judgment, physical preparation, and an understanding of changing conditions in remote environments. Donlon’s chosen path reflected his interest in mountain travel and the skills needed to help others navigate challenging landscapes.
Friends and family described both men as experienced hikers. Nevertheless, the conditions surrounding their trip deteriorated after rain and substantial snowfall affected the area over the weekend.
Donlon’s death has left loved ones and fellow students facing a devastating loss. Further details about his family, personal achievements, and memorial services should be confirmed through official family announcements.
Cause of Death: What Authorities Have Confirmed
As of the latest reports reviewed for this article, the official cause and manner of death for both Matsuda and Donlon had not been released. The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office said autopsies and further investigation would be necessary before authorities could offer conclusions about what happened.
Severe winter weather was an important factor in the search. Reports indicated that Ice Mountain received approximately one to two feet of snow, with deeper drifts in some areas. The students’ tent was found collapsed beneath the snow, and icy conditions made portions of the terrain dangerous for searchers to reach.
However, the presence of heavy snow does not establish the precise medical cause of either death. Until official findings are available, it would be premature to conclude that hypothermia, an accident, or another specific factor caused the tragedy.
Authorities have said they do not suspect foul play.
Search-and-Rescue Efforts
Approximately 60 searchers took part in the operation, supported by helicopters, drones, search dogs, and other specialized equipment. Teams from multiple counties assisted as the search area expanded.
Rescuers faced deep snow, ice, steep terrain, and the possibility of additional winter weather. The collapsed tent offered important information about the students’ trip, but it did not immediately reveal where they had gone afterward.
Colorado Mountain College also reported that faculty members with specialized training in mountain travel and rescue assisted the search effort.
After the two men were found, Sheriff Andy Rohrich expressed condolences to their families and friends and thanked the search teams for their efforts. He also asked the public to give those affected time and privacy to grieve.
Colorado Mountain College Mourns Two Students
Colorado Mountain College expressed devastation over the deaths, describing Matsuda and Donlon as members of its community. The college extended condolences to their families, friends, classmates, faculty, and everyone who knew them.
The school said its focus was on supporting those closest to the students and providing emotional support to people at the Leadville campus during the difficult days ahead.
The tragedy has also drawn attention to the risks of technical mountain climbs, particularly when weather changes rapidly. Experience and preparation are important, but winter conditions at high elevations can make travel dangerous and limit the ability of rescue teams to reach remote areas.
Funeral and Memorial Arrangements
Funeral, visitation, and memorial service details for Kaden Matsuda and Jackson Donlon had not been confirmed in the reports reviewed for this article. Families or authorized representatives may share arrangements when they are ready.
Friends, classmates, and members of the outdoor community can look to verified family notices and official college communications for further information.
Remembering Kaden Matsuda and Jackson Donlon
Matsuda and Donlon were young men pursuing different career paths connected to the outdoors: one preparing for wildland firefighting and the other studying to become a mountain guide. Their shared trip ended in a loss that has deeply affected their families, classmates, and wider communities.
As authorities continue their investigation, their lives deserve to be remembered with compassion rather than reduced to the circumstances of their deaths. The official findings may eventually clarify what happened in the mountains, but for those who knew them, the immediate priority is mourning two young people whose futures were cut short.
The cause and manner of death remain pending official findings. Further information should be confirmed through the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Mountain College, or verified family announcements.
