Journalist from the United States disappears during a trek in Norway's national park.
In a heartening turn of events, American journalist Alec Luhn, known for his work on climate change issues, was found alive on August 6, 2025, following a harrowing ordeal in Norway's Folgefonna National Park.
Luhn, 38, had been on a solo backpacking trip since July 31, after a family holiday. His disappearance triggered a large-scale search operation, involving rescue dogs, volunteers, alpine and glacier specialists, drones, and a Norwegian Air Force helicopter.
The last known communication Luhn had was with a French couple who gave him a lift to the glacier and may have heard about his planned route. His wife, Veronika Silchenko, last spoke to him on Thursday as he was setting off on his hike in the Folgefonna National Park.
Silchenko did not become overly concerned until days later, assuming Luhn was out of phone signal range in the wilderness. It was only on Monday, after Luhn failed to board his flight home, that she reported him missing.
The search operation, led by the Norwegian Red Cross, began on Monday and was expanded on Tuesday, involving volunteers and search and rescue dogs. Drones were used in the search operation when weather conditions permitted. An alpine rescue group also assisted in the search.
Luhn, a seasoned hiker, was discovered by helicopter near the park and transported to a hospital in Bergen, Norway, for medical treatment after suffering a broken femur from a fall off a cliff.
Veronika Silchenko spoke to CNN about her relief at the news of Luhn's rescue and her concerns for his safety during the search operation. She described Luhn as a kind, loving, and adventurous person who is dedicated to writing about climate change and the Arctic.
The search teams, being local and familiar with the challenging terrain of Folgefonna National Park, worked tirelessly to locate Luhn. Their efforts were rewarded when they found him alive, much to the relief of his family, friends, and the global community of climate journalists.
Luhn, originally from Wisconsin, has worked for notable outlets such as National Geographic, The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Atlantic. His love for nature and his dedication to climate change issues have made him a respected voice in the field.
As Luhn recovers from his injuries, the world waits with bated breath to hear his stories from the wilderness, a testament to his resilience and the power of human spirit.
[1] CNN, "Missing climate journalist Alec Luhn found alive in Norway's Folgefonna National Park," August 6, 2025. [2] The Guardian, "American journalist Alec Luhn found alive after going missing in Norway's Folgefonna National Park," August 6, 2025.
- In the realm of environmental science, Alec Luhn's harrowing ordeal in Folgefonna National Park serves as a stark reminder of the challenges inherent in climate-change research.
- While Luhn was found safe and undergoing medical treatment for a broken femur, the episode highlighted the important role that general news media play in amplifying such critical stories.
- Despite his injuries, Luhn's resilience and determination are evident as he recovers, ensuring that he can continue contributing to the discourse on crime and justice, accidents, and even sports, further demonstrating the versatility of a dedicated journalist.
- With gripping stories from his experiences in Norway's Folgefonna National Park, Luhn's continual work will continue to shape the narrative in science, climate-change, and general-news sectors, underscoring the power of the written word and the indomitable human spirit.
