Rocky Mountain blizzard: Two missing students found dead
In Colorado, a search and rescue operation in the Rocky Mountains ended with the discovery of the bodies of two students who had gone climbing before a severe storm. The victims, 19-year-old Kaden Matsuda and 20-year-old Jackson Donlon, were found in the crater of West Apostle Peak, about 100 miles southeast of Aspen.
The Leadville College students went into the mountains on Friday. They planned to make a technical climb to the peak of Ice Mountain, which is almost 14,000 feet high, and return by Sunday, but they did not show up on campus at the appointed time. About 60 volunteer rescuers, helicopters, drones and service dogs were involved in the search.
On Tuesday, a helicopter crew spotted a snow-covered tent near a lake northwest of Ice Mountain. Sleeping bags, a stove and personal belongings were left inside, but no climbing gear. According to the sheriff, the boys changed their plans and headed to the nearby 13,000-foot West Apostle peak, where they were caught in the bad weather. Law enforcement officers found no signs of violent death, and an autopsy will determine the exact cause of death.
Source: 2 college students found dead after going missing during Colorado hike - CTV News
Context
Both of the deceased had made their living in the mountains: Matsuda was training to be a wildland firefighter, and Donlon was training to become a professional mountain guide. Relatives and friends noted that despite their young age, the boys had considerable experience in climbing and hiking.