A search is underway for Alec Luhn, a 38-year-old American journalist missing in Norway’s Folgefonna National Park after a solo backpacking trip. Luhn, an award-winning climate journalist, went missing on July 31, 2023, after leaving for a hike in Odda, Norway. His wife, Veronika Silchenko, reported his disappearance to Norwegian authorities on Monday after he failed to return for his flight home. His family, who were not initially worried due to his experience in the outdoors, became concerned when he did not appear for his scheduled return flight.
Although he had shared his last known location in Odda, the worsening weather conditions and lack of communication raised alarms. Luhn, who lives in London but is from Wisconsin, had previously covered climate issues for outlets such as The Guardian, The New York Times, and National Geographic. His wife noted his fascination with glaciers and their connection to climate change, which fueled his expeditions to colder regions. As the search continues, teams including police, sniffer dogs, and drones are working in challenging weather conditions, with the Norwegian Red Cross emphasizing the difficulty of the terrain and weather in the area.