American Journalist was Stuck in Norway's Forests for Six Days, What did Endure, How did Survive?
Norway: 38-year-old American journalist Alec Luhn survived six days in the mountains of Norway with a broken leg. Luhn spent almost a week alone in the mountains. To stay alive, he ate grass and moss, drank rainwater and even drank his own urine, until rescuers found him.
While hiking alone in Folgefonna National Park, journalist Alec Luhn slipped and fell, causing severe fractures to his femur and pelvis. He also lost his phone, food and water. Two days later, his wife reported him missing and a search operation was launched. Three days later, rescuers found him in a semi-conscious state. In addition to broken bones, he also had several frostbite wounds, so he was hospitalized.
Lying in a hospital bed, Luhn said he had built a makeshift shelter in the forest, which helped him survive. On the fourth day, heavy rains allowed him to collect water in his sleeping bag, but he got wet and very cold. At that time, he assumed that he might not survive.
Alec Luhn, a resident of Wisconsin, started trekking in Folgefonna National Park in late July. This park is known for its huge glaciers. Despite being an experienced hiker, his first mistake happened when the sole of his left shoe started coming off. He decided to proceed further by joining it with tape, which proved to be his biggest mistake. Luhn said, I did not want to turn back. This was my first mistake.
As soon as he reached the Buarbreen glacier, Luhn's foot slipped and he rolled down the mountain. He said that I kept slipping, rolling and hitting the rocks on the mountain. He said in the accident, his thigh bone was broken, pelvis and spine were fractured and hands were badly bruised. His bag was torn, phone and water bottle were lost. Luhn told that his left leg was useless.
Climate journalist Alec Luhn was trapped in Norway's Folgefonna for 6 days. He even broke a leg. He drank his own urine to stay alive. In the end, life won. pic.twitter.com/3LZk5n4v7h
— VOiCE OF MEDIA (@voiceofmedia1) August 23, 2025
Without food and water, Luhn spent six days on the mountain. The first two days were spent without water, which he described as a test of thirst. In desperation, he drank his urine to get some moisture and ate protein bars. On the third day, rain brought relief and he quenched his thirst by licking every drop. But storms and cold increased his difficulties.
Luhn's wife Veronika Silchenko informed Norwegian authorities when he missed his flight on Monday. Bad weather made the search difficult, but a helicopter spotted him on August 6. Luhn attracted attention by making a flag from a tent pole and a handkerchief. He said that when someone waved from the helicopter door, I felt that my bad time was over now.
Luhn became emotional when he met his wife in the hospital in Bergen. His wife said, I will scold you later, but right now I love you. Luhn said that this experience taught him the importance of family. I thought maybe I would die and never see my family again. That was the most painful. But despite going through such a difficult situation and finding a new life, the journalist says he is determined to go on a hike again.
