Two Colorado Mountain College students were found dead Wednesday afternoon on West Apostle Mountain after an extensive search involving about 60 search-and-rescue members, helicopters, drones, and canine teams, authorities said.

Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, were located about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in a basin on West Apostle Mountain in Chaffee County, according to the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office. They were found near each other.

Foul play is not suspected, authorities said. The sheriff’s office said it would not offer theories about what happened until autopsies are completed.

A detailed investigation will be conducted with the Chaffee County Coroner’s Office.

The Search for the Men

The discovery followed a search involving about 60 members from Chaffee County North and South Search and Rescue, Fremont County Search and Rescue, Teller County Search and Rescue, Arapahoe County Search and Rescue, and Lake County Search and Rescue. Gunnison County Search and Rescue also assisted from the opposite side of the mountain range.

Authorities said they received the reporter of the two college students missing on Monday at 10 a.m. local time.

Flight for Life and Canon City Helitac provided helicopter support, while drone teams and canine handlers searched the area.

Investigators had shifted their search toward West Apostle Mountain near Ice Mountain after finding the men’s tent. Authorities said West Apostle appeared to be a more likely destination based on the tent’s location and interviews with friends who said one of the men had previously camped in the same area while climbing West Apostle.

Searchers found the men’s walking shoes inside the tent, while their advanced climbing footwear was missing. Their climbing equipment also was not found in their dorm rooms, vehicle, or tent, leading investigators to believe they had left the tent prepared for a more technical climb.

Authorities also found evidence of food inside the tent indicating the men had eaten before beginning their hike.

Investigators said a set of what appeared to be human footprints was discovered partially buried in snow near the tent. Another set of tracks leading toward the Texas Creek Trailhead was also investigated, although authorities believed those tracks may have belonged to a hunter.

Donlon was believed to have been wearing an avalanche beacon, and Flight for Life used beacon-detection technology during the search. His beacon was not found in his dorm room.

Detectives also sought technology search warrants in an effort to recover information from the men’s cellphones and apps that might have provided clues about their plans. Their physical phones had not been located during the search.

Authorities had warned that deteriorating weather expected Friday could hamper search efforts, particularly aerial operations. The sheriff’s office said it was trying to put as many resources into the area as possible before the storm arrived.

“Our heart aches for Kaden and Jackson’s family and friends,” Sheriff Andy Rohrich said after the men were found. “We are very proud of our team’s efforts to find them before this weekend’s coming storm.”

Rohrich said finding the men would provide some closure for their families.

“Although this is a gut punch, our prayers were answered that we would find Kaden and Jackson, allowing some closure for the family,” Rohrich said. “We ask that everyone give time and distance to family members and friends as they mourn their loss.”

The sheriff’s office said the announcement was delayed to allow authorities to notify the families.

—

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.