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By Jordan King
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A search is underway for Alec Luhn, an award-winning American journalist who has not been heard from since setting off on a hiking trip in western Norway last Thursday.
The climate writer began his hike in the Folgefonna region of Ullensvang, an area known for its extensive glaciers, rugged landscapes and unpredictable weather.
Norwegian police believe Luhn is still alive, according to Norwegian outlet Verdens Gang.
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Newsweek has contacted the Western Police District of Norway via email for comment.
The Context
News of Luhn's disappearance drew significant attention due to his prominence in climate journalism and his reputation for reporting from high-risk, remote, and often politically sensitive regions. Over the past decade, Luhn has covered the climate crisis from the Arctic, Siberia, and Central Asia, contributing to major news outlets.
The situation also highlighted the demanding conditions of Norway's mountainous terrain, where even experienced and well-equipped hikers can encounter serious danger.
What To Know
The search for Luhn was launched after he missed a scheduled meeting at Bergen Airport on Monday, where he was due to catch a flight to England, and failed to make contact with his family. His last known communication was during the day on Thursday.
Norwegian police described Luhn as an experienced, well-equipped, and physically fit outdoorsman.
Search and rescue teams—including the Red Cross, Norwegian rescue dogs, and Norsk Folkehjelp—responded quickly following the report but found no signs as of Monday night.
Helicopters were used to search the mountainous terrain, but operations were suspended overnight due to dangerous conditions and darkness, police said. The search resumed the following morning.
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Who is Alec Luhn?
Luhn is a distinguished journalist specializing in climate, conflict and migration reporting. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2010 and began his career reporting for The Badger Herald during his studies.
His reporting has appeared in international outlets such as The Atlantic, The Guardian, National Geographic, The New York Times, TIME, WIRED and VICE News TV.
Luhn is currently based in London and works as an Ocean Reporting Network fellow at the Pulitzer Center according to his website bio.
He has previously reported from Moscow and Istanbul and has covered climate change impacts from wildfires and droughts to melting glaciers and thawing permafrost.
His work has received several honors, including recognition by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, among others.
What People Are Saying
Norwegian police operations leader Tatjana Knappen said: "We are keeping all possibilities open."
ABC News reporter Patrick Reevell, who is friends with Luhn, wrote on X: HELP: "Our friend Alec Luhn is currently missing while hiking in Norway's Folgefonna national park. If anyone has seen him please get in touch. If people in the area can share this please do Last seen July 31 after leaving Odda headed for Holmaskjer. Planned to go to Breidablikk."
What Happens Next
The search for Luhn was due to resume at daybreak on Tuesday, with rescue teams working to cover more of the difficult terrain around Folgefonna.
Police urged anyone with information to come forward.
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