Full Breakdown
Missing Colorado College Hikers Remain Unfound Amid Snowstorm
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Event
Two Colorado Mountain College students—19-year-old Kaden Matsuda of Ridgway and 20-year-old Jackson Donlon of New York—left the Leadville campus Friday to hike Ice Mountain in northern Chaffee County. They were to return Saturday if conditions felt unsafe, or Sunday if the climb continued. When they did not appear, college staff alerted the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office on Monday. Search teams from five counties, helicopters, drones, infrared aircraft and search dogs have been deployed, but the hikers remain missing.
02
Background & Context
Ice Mountain tops out near 13,960 ft. A storm on Saturday dropped one to two feet of snow, with drifts up to four feet. Avalanche risk was described as low because it was the first major snowfall, but the depth created hazardous road conditions and limited helicopter access.
Visual evidence
Images from the story
03
Data & Statistics
- Snow depth at the Mt. Huron trailhead where Matsuda’s vehicle was found: about eight inches, none beneath the car.
- Snow accumulation on Ice Mountain: one to two feet generally, three to four feet in drift-prone areas.
- Search effort: roughly 50 volunteers from five counties returned for a second day of ground searches; aerial assets included multiple drones, helicopters and a multi-mission infrared aircraft.
- No human footprints were found in the fresh snow; a single set of tracks near the tent was tentatively attributed to a hunter.
04
Official Statements & Responses
A Colorado Mountain College spokesperson said faculty with mountain-travel expertise are assisting the search and that the college is supporting the families. Sheriff Andy Rohrich noted the search is expanding beyond Ice Mountain to other possible destinations.
05
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are still optimistic Kaden and Jackson are hunkered down somewhere waiting to be rescued,” — Sheriff Andy Rohrich
- “Our window of opportunity is closing as poor weather is expected again later this week, so we are putting all our available resources in the field.” — Sheriff Andy Rohrich
- “Ice Mountain is a very technical climb, and it is recommended that hikers be very experienced when trying to tackle it.” — Sheriff Andy Rohrich
06
On-the-Ground Reports
Search crews found a collapsed tent near Lake Ann at about 12,000 ft. Inside were the hikers’ sleeping bags, a stove and clothing, but no footprints. Deputies said there was no snow beneath the tent, indicating it was set up before the storm. A single set of human tracks near the tent was believed to belong to a hunter; another set headed toward Texas Creek Trailhead. Donlon’s avalanche beacon was on his person, prompting the use of beacon-detecting equipment.
07
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Phone activity: All sources agree the hikers’ phones showed no usage for the past 48 hours. One outlet suggested the lack of service makes the absence “less concerning,” while another noted the phones may have been turned off to conserve battery.
- Avalanche concern: One report called avalanche risk minimal; another highlighted the “first big snow” and resulting ice-encased mountain, leaving the precise danger level unclear.
08
What’s Next
Sheriff Rohrich said the search will continue with all available resources while monitoring the forecast. Teams will maintain aerial surveillance, ground patrols in adjacent valleys, and beacon-technology sweeps. The public is asked to refrain from entering the search area and from flying personal drones.