US journalist found alive days after going missing on a hike in Norway

A US climate journalist who went missing for nearly a week on a solo hiking trip in Norway has been found alive, his family has confirmed.

Alec Luhn, 38, vanished during a trek on a glacier in Folgefonna National Park in the country’s southwest. His wife, Veronika Silchenko, told CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, that he sustained a leg injury but was otherwise in good health.

“I think it’s a miracle,” Ms Silchenko said. “It’s the best day of my life.”

Mr Luhn, who has worked for multiple news outlets, set off on his hike from the town of Odda in southwestern Norway on 31 July. He did not show up for his scheduled return flight home on Monday, prompting Ms Silchenko to alert authorities.

Ms Silchenko said she was grateful for the Norwegian rescue team for finding her husband, and was waiting to speak to a doctor about the extent of his injury.

No further details about his rescue have been released.

She previously described Mr Luhn as an experienced outdoorsman who had camped in in difficult weather conditions.

“Alec is basically obsessed with the Arctic,” Ms Silchenko told CBS News. “He loves glaciers and snow, and he loves explorers.”

As a climate journalist, Mr Luhn has travelled extensively to document glaciers that are rapidly shrinking because of the effects of global warming.

“He’s trying his best to go to the coldest countries,” she said.

He has previously reported for numerous outlets, including the BBC, The Atlantic, National Geographic, The New York Times, Scientific American, Time magazine, and CBS.

Last year, he wrote for the BBC about Canada’s “zombie” fires, which burn year round and are believed to be exacerbated by climate change.