Two Colorado college students died after anchor failure on mountain

Two Colorado Mountain College students died instantly after their climbing anchor failed catastrophically on West Apostle Mountain in Chaffee County, Colorado, officials announced, KCRA reported.

A Catastrophic Anchor Failure on West Apostle Mountain

Kaden Matsuda, 19, of Ridgway, Colorado, and Jackson Donlon, 20, of Queensbury, New York, were found dead in a basin of the mountain around 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 29, days after school staff at the Leadville campus reported them missing on Oct. 26.

The joint statement from the sheriff’s office and the coroner laid out the sequence. Donlon was beginning to rappel from a primary anchor point fixed into a rock substrate when the anchor — backed up by a piton and a secondary anchor, also in rock — suffered what officials called a catastrophic failure of unknown cause. Matsuda was attached via his personal anchor device to the same anchor points as well as the primary anchor point. Both climbers fell a substantial distance when the system gave way. The exact distance remains unknown.

Colorado College Students' Deaths Explained After Rappelling Anchor Failure

Instant Deaths from Multiple Blunt Force Injuries

An autopsy conducted by the Chaffee County Coroner’s Office found that both men died from multiple blunt force injuries. Officials said the deaths were instant.

Storm Swept the Area, but Weather Ruled Out as Direct Cause

A heavy snowstorm had swept through the area around the time of the incident. Officials said it is unclear whether the weather had any negative impact leading to the accident — though the statement clarified that weather did not play a direct role in the deaths.

Two Colorado college students died after anchor failure on mountain

“There Is Also Relief Knowing Neither of Them Suffered”

“Kaden and Jackson lived life at the highest peaks chasing freedoms and panoramic views that most of us only see in pictures. We hope their families and friends find strength in the memories of their vibrant spirits. While their lives were far too short, they spent their final moments together surrounded by majestic beauty of Chaffee County’s high peaks that they loved. There is also relief knowing neither of them suffered.”

— Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich

The two men were students at Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus.

Cause of the Collapse Still Unknown

Investigators have not determined what caused the anchor to fail. Authorities have not said whether the investigation into the equipment failure is ongoing or whether any gear has been recovered for forensic examination, and the sheriff’s office has not released details about the specific type of anchor or piton involved.