Two college students from Colorado were found dead this week after going missing during a hiking trip in the Rocky Mountains amid deteriorating weather conditions. The bodies of Kaden Matsuda, 19, from Ridgway, Colorado, and Jackson Donlon, 20, from New York, were discovered Wednesday afternoon in a basin near West Apostle Mountain, about 100 miles southeast of Aspen, according to the Chaffee County sheriff’s office.

The pair had set out on Friday from Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus, telling family and friends they planned to hike Ice Mountain, a challenging peak standing nearly 14,000 feet tall that requires technical climbing. They were expected to return by Sunday but were reported missing on Monday morning after failing to check in.

Authorities launched a large-scale search operation involving about 60 volunteers, helicopters, drones, and search dogs. On Tuesday, a helicopter team located the students’ tent, collapsed under snow, near a lake northwest of Ice Mountain. Inside the tent were sleeping bags, a stove, and clothing; no sign of the two men was found. Officials noted that climbing equipment was missing from their dorm rooms, tent, and vehicle, indicating they had likely left the tent prepared for a technical ascent.

Sheriff Andy Rohrich said the cause of death remains under investigation but noted that foul play is not suspected. He emphasized that officials would withhold speculation until autopsies are completed. “Our heart aches for Kaden and Jackson’s family and friends,” Rohrich said in a statement Thursday evening. “We are very proud of our team’s efforts to find them before this weekend’s coming storm. Although this is a gut punch, our prayers were answered that we would find Kaden and Jackson, allowing some closure for the family.”

Both Matsuda and Donlon were described by friends and family as experienced hikers and climbers. Matsuda was pursuing a degree to become a wildland firefighter, while Donlon was training to become a mountain guide. Authorities expressed concern that worsening weather expected to begin Friday would limit further aerial search efforts.

The circumstances leading to the students’ deaths remain unclear as officials await forensic examination to provide more definitive answers.