DEVELOPING STORY: The search will continue today for two hikers, students from Colorado Mountain College(CMC) Leadville Campus. Kaden Matsuda, age 19 from Ridgeway, CO and Jackson Donlon age 20 from New York departed campus on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Their plans were to hike Ice Mountain on the far north end of Chaffee County intending to return Sunday. CMC reported their absence to the Sheriff’s office Monday, Oct. 26 at 10am. Since the hikers left last Friday snow and rainfall have complicated the situation.
“Ice Mountain is a very technical climb, it’s recommended that hikers be very experienced when trying to tackle it, and that’s when it’s dry,” said Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich. The mountain is now encased in ice from the rain and snow since the hikers embarked. Over 50 search and rescue volunteers are on the scene.
One witness shared with the sheriff that on his hike down from Mount Huron on the Northwest route from Winfield on October 23rd at approximately1:00 P.M. he interacted with two men fitting the description. He shared with them that snow was up to his knees at 13,500 feet so he had turned around. The two men kept going.
Officials are hoping Kaden and Jackson are hunkered down somewhere waiting to be rescued, however the window of opportunity is closing as poor weather is expected again later this week. All available resources are in the field.
Friends and family explained that both were experienced hikers and should have had appropriate clothing. Kaden and Jackson sent their friends a text with a map pinpointing Ice Mountain as their destination. The image also showed the area around Winfield and the trailhead circled potentially indicating where they would go in and/or camp.
When deputies and search and rescue personnel arrived at the trailhead Monday they located Kaden’s vehicle. There was about eight inches of snow on the ground but none under the vehicle. On Friday when the two ventured to the mountain it would have been raining in the area with Saturday experiencing heavy snowfall.
As Chaffee County Search and Rescue began their search, the fresh blanket of snow made it easy to watch for tracks but, unfortunately, no human tracks were located. The area of Ice Mountain and other nearby peaks were additionally heavily searched by aircraft including multiple drones, helicopters and the multi-mission aircraft with infrared technology.
After a full search Monday, on Tuesday, Oct. 27th, a helicopter was able to spot their tent near Lake Ann, which had collapsed under the weight of the snow. There was no snow under the tent and there were no visible footprints in the snow which suggested their gear was all in place before the snow came in. Their sleeping bags, a stove and some clothing were inside the tent, but Kaden and Jackson were not located.
Forensic examinations were completed regarding both of their cellular phones. It was learned that neither of the cellular phones had been used in the last 48 hours. The service in the area would be almost nonexistent, and they certainly could have turned the phones off to preserve the batteries.
Sheriff Rohrich commented, “They are both strong young men. Kaden is studying to be a wildland firefighter, and Jackson is studying to be a mountain guide, so hope is not lost. Please keep the families in your thoughts as we continue to search.”
Updates will be provided as they come in. Photo Courtesy Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office
