Journalist lacking whereas on mountain climbing vacation in Norwegian National Park | EUROtoday

Rescuers are trying to find a journalist who went lacking on a hike within the distant Folgefonna nationwide park, residence to certainly one of Norway’s largest glaciers.

Alec Luhn, 38, was final seen on 31 July – the identical day he left the park, which stretches 545 sq. kilometres in western Norway.

Mr Luhn spoke to a French couple who gave him a elevate to the glacier on 31 July and imagine he could have described his plan to them for his route, a household good friend informed The Independent. They had been in a camper van with their younger son.

He had been on a household vacation earlier than setting out on a solo backpacking journey final Thursday from the city of Odda, in keeping with data shared by mates on-line.

A search and rescue operation was launched on Monday when Mr Luhn was reported lacking after he missed his flight from Bergen, police mentioned.

The good friend mentioned they’re particularly looking for anybody who noticed or spoke to Alec – notably the French couple – to study extra concerning the routes he was taking.

Rescue canine, pink cross volunteers, particular crews for alpine and glacier searches, drones and a Norwegian Air Force helicopter had been all looking the world with police.

Folgefonna National Park, recognized for its dramatic glacier tongues, wild valleys, and fast-flowing rivers, has drawn adventurous vacationers since 1833.

However, its distant and rugged terrain can flip perilous in harsh climate circumstances.

The search was suspended on Tuesday afternoon resulting from extreme climate, together with heavy rain and excessive water ranges in rivers, police informed The Independent.

“The police are also actively working to gather information that can narrow the search, including interviewing witnesses in the mountains and investigating telecommunications operators and mobile phone manufacturer to map the movements of the missing person,” mentioned Eirik Loftesnes, Head of Operations at Western Police District.

By Wednesday morning, the search resumed with the Alpine Rescue Group heading to Odda by helicopter. Red Cross personnel had been additionally current.

The US-born journalist is believed to be match, well-equipped and an skilled hiker, police mentioned.

According to data shared by mates on-line, Mr Luhn deliberate to go to two DNT cabins – Holmaskjer and Breidablikk – earlier than planning to finish his journey on the Årsnes Kai bus station on Monday morning.

His spouse, journalist Veronika Silchenko, made a public attraction on social media on Tuesday, urging anybody with data or who could have seen him to get in contact.

The UK-based reporter is a Pulitzer Center Ocean Reporting Network fellow and has had two Emmy nominations.

Formerly primarily based in Moscow and Istanbul, he has reported for The New York Times, The Atlantic, and was a daily Guardian Russia correspondent from 2013 to 2017.