Two Colorado Students Killed in Backcountry Tragedy While Pursuing Outdoor Careers
The bodies of Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, were recovered from a snow-filled basin on West Apostle Mountain in Colorado, the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Thursday. The two Colorado Mountain College students had gone missing during a weekend hiking trip, and were found dead on Wednesday, following a severe storm that transformed their planned trek into a fatal encounter with Colorado’s unforgiving high-altitude environment, Associated Press reported.
The pair, who were studying to become a wildland firefighter and an outdoor recreation guide, had set out from the Leadville campus for Ice Mountain, a 13,958-foot peak. Rain at the start of their trip gave way to a storm that dumped up to 2 feet of snow, forcing them to alter their route. Their bodies were discovered 100 miles southeast of Aspen, far from their original destination, according to the sheriff’s office. They left Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus on Friday, telling family and friends they planned to hike Ice Mountain.
The Lives of Two Ambitious Outdoor Enthusiasts
Matsuda, of Ridgway, Colorado, was pursuing a career in wildland firefighting. Classmates described him as “kind, intelligent, and welcoming,” with a dedication to outdoor safety that mirrored his academic focus. Donlon, from Queensbury, New York, had built a reputation as an “ambitious skier” on the East Coast, completing a 28-mile ski tour in the High Peaks last December. Both students were described as “capable, strong, and prepared” by Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich, who noted they followed nearly all standard backcountry safety protocols.
Colorado Mountain College, which emphasizes outdoor recreation careers, has campuses throughout the Colorado Rockies. The school’s Leadville campus, situated at 10,119 feet, is a hub for students aiming to work in ski patrol, guiding, and emergency response. Matsuda was studying to be a wildland firefighter.
Weather, Terrain, and the Limits of Preparedness
Jason Marsteiner, founder of The Survival University, highlighted the suddenness of Colorado’s mountain weather. “The weather rolls in fast and the mountains are steep,” he said, emphasizing the “unforgiving environment” that even seasoned hikers can struggle to cross. The storm that struck during their trip dumped up to 2 feet of snow.
Search crews found a collapsed tent near a lake northwest of Ice Mountain, containing sleeping bags, a stove, and clothing. However, the students were not there. Based on the tent’s location, authorities believe they shifted their objective to West Apostle Mountain, a 13,597-foot peak.
A Community in Grief, a Debate Over Risk and Responsibility
Donlon was described as having a “hunger for what was next.”
“He lived life with a passion that was contagious, embodying everything we love about skiing in New York,” the group posted on social media. “He was a friend, an adventurer, and someone who was always hungry for what was next.”
What’s Next for Colorado’s Outdoor Education Programs?
The sheriff’s office is still determining the exact cause of death, with autopsies scheduled for Monday. Meanwhile, the search for Matsuda and Donlon’s bodies, delayed by gusty winds, has highlighted the challenges of rescue operations in extreme conditions.
Donlon’s ski group, Ski or Die NY, called him “a friend, an adventurer, and someone who was always hungry for what was next.” Matsuda’s classmates remember him as a “welcoming” presence. “They came here to learn, to explore and to build their futures,” Ben Cairns, the campus dean, said in a written statement. “Their lives were full of promise, and their loss is felt deeply by the students, faculty and staff who knew them.”
The story of Matsuda and Donlon shows the risks of Colorado’s wilderness, where even experienced hikers can face tragic outcomes despite their preparation.
