Search Ongoing for Missing American Journalist in Norway’s Glacier Region

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Authorities in Norway are continuing search efforts for Alec Luhn, a 38-year-old American journalist, who went missing during a solo hiking trip in Folgefonna National Park. Known for his reporting on climate issues, Luhn failed to board a scheduled flight from Bergen to England on Monday, prompting his family to alert the local authorities.

Luhn began his hike on July 31, departing from the town of Odda, located near the northeastern edge of Folgefonna National Park. The park, situated in western Norway, is renowned for its rugged terrain and is home to the country’s third-largest glacier. Weather conditions in the region have been severe, significantly hampering search and rescue efforts.

Norwegian officials confirmed that both police and volunteer rescue teams, including sniffer dogs and drones, had been mobilized. However, Western Police District operations manager Tatjana Knappen told NRK, Norway’s public broadcaster, that strong gales and worsening conditions forced the suspension of aerial searches on Monday night. A potential improvement in weather may allow the helicopter-assisted search to resume.

The Norwegian Red Cross also reported ongoing ground operations on Tuesday, involving seven experienced volunteers familiar with the challenging terrain. They described the search environment as particularly difficult due to extreme weather and rugged geography.

Luhn’s wife, Veronika Silchenko, an Emmy-winning television journalist, said she last heard from her husband on Thursday. He had shared a photo and indicated he was heading toward Holmaskjer, a mountain cabin near the glacier’s edge. His intended route included stops at Breidablikk and Bondhusbreen. However, Silchenko acknowledged that his plans might have changed due to evolving conditions. It is still unclear whether he attempted to cross the glacier itself.

Originally from the American Midwest, Luhn graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2010. He worked for over a decade in Moscow as a foreign correspondent for publications including The Guardian and The Telegraph. In recent years, he shifted his focus to environmental reporting, contributing to outlets such as Scientific American. Luhn is a Pulitzer Center fellow and has received multiple journalism awards, including two Emmy nominations.

Described by colleagues and friends as an experienced outdoorsman, Luhn frequently sought remote regions both for reporting and personal exploration. His previous expeditions include scientific treks in Alaska and visits to Arctic areas in Canada and Russia. He has also reported from active conflict zones, including Ukraine and Somalia.

As of Wednesday, authorities have confirmed the search will continue, pending weather conditions. Anyone with relevant information has been urged to contact local police.