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Search Underway for Two Missing Colorado Hikers Since Oct. 23

By Drooid · Oct 29, 2026 · How we work

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Story summary

Summary

U.S. officials are searching for two Colorado Mountain College students missing since Oct. 23.
Kaden Matsuda, 19, Ridgeway, and Jackson Donlon, 20, New York left Leadville campus.
They planned to hike Ice Mountain (13,960 ft) near Huron Peak.
A storm dropped 1–2 feet of snow on the mountain.
Sheriff Andy Rohrich reported about 50 search parties returned to the field Wednesday.

Summary

Colorado Mountain College staff and faculty have joined the search for missing hikers.
Faculty with mountain-travel training are on the ground assisting rescue teams.
Sheriff Andy Rohrich urged the public to donate to search-and-rescue crews.
Search teams are using Flight for Life services and avalanche-beacon technology.
Authorities warned drone pilots to avoid flying over the hazardous search area.

History

On 10–11 May 1996 a blizzard on Everest killed eight climbers, including leaders Rob Hall and Scott Fischer, sparking worldwide scrutiny of commercial expeditions and rescue readiness. The tragedy’s lessons on rapid mobilization and technology use now guide Colorado Mountain College’s search teams, who employ avalanche beacons and Flight-for-Life helicopters under Sheriff Andy Rohrich’s coordination.

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On 10–11 May 1996 a blizzard on Everest killed eight climbers, including leaders Rob Hall and Scott Fischer, sparking worldwide scrutiny of commercial expeditions and rescue readiness. The tragedy’s lessons on rapid mobilization and technology use now guide Colorado Mountain College’s search teams, who employ avalanche beacons and Flight-for-Life helicopters under Sheriff Andy Rohrich’s coordination.

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