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The 12th Arctic Encounter Summit was held April 15-17, 2026 in Anchorage, Alaska at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center. Many leaders and attendees that gather year after year for the Arctic Encounter come for renewal and friendship with the common bond of all things Arctic, including discussions about climate change, scientific research, fisheries, natural resources, Arctic policy, military strategy, meting sea ice and permafrost, subsistence hunting, land usage and leadership of Indigenous youth. After a rather tense year in Arctic Geopolitics, this year's Arctic Encounter served an even greater purpose of renewal and rebuilding trust of alliances.

For those first learning about the Arctic Encounter, it is the largest Arctic Policy event attended by Arctic leaders and Indigenous leaders, Members of Parliament and Ambassadors from nations including the United States, Canada, Greenland, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Poland, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Faroe Islands, Slovenia, European Union, and Indigenous Leaders including the Inuit & Inupiat. Military leaders, businesses of the North, including Alaska Airlines, Davie Defense, and the University of Alaska also were part of the discussions, breakout sessions and forums. Senator Lisa Murkowski and Governor Mike Dunleavy gave featured remarks during luncheons on Thursday and Friday that added important leadership insights about the current state of affairs as well as the importance of maintaining alliances among all of the Arctic Nations.

This year's challenges in the Arctic felt like a 'Summit' since the tensions, war in Iran and a disrupted world order have greatly impacted the trust between long time allies and alliances.

The moderators that played a key role in the intensive discussions held over the three days were Mike Sfraga and Libby Casey, both being as seasoned as they come. Sfraga, a former US Ambassador for Arctic Affairs, and Casey of NPR and former Washington Post and Alaska Public Media, tactfully led panels of leaders, scientists, politicians, and Indigenous leaders thru fascinating and sometimes difficult topics about the current affairs in the Arctic.

Founder and CEO of the Arctic Encounter, Rachel Kallander and her team, Jackson Blackwell, Reed Davidson, and Board of Directors created a welcoming atmosphere at this year's 2026 Arctic Encounter Summit that fostered discussions, collaboration, friendship and renewed bonds for an inclusive exceptional Arctic Policy event.

https://www.arcticencounter.com

I'd like to thank Rachel Kallander, Jackson Blackwell, Reed Davidson, and their incredible teamwork in putting on this year's Arctic Encounter Summit.

Thank you all for listening to the Alaska Climate and Aviation Podcast. I can be reached at: ktphotowork@gmail.com

As we approach the summer of 2026, I'm happy to announce that I will be operating a scenic flight business, Visionary Adventures with my Piper Super Cub for flights over Alaska's beautiful wilderness.

Katie Writer

Pilot/Journalist/Photographer

Alaska Climate and Aviation Podcast

907/863-7669

www.cubflights.com

Support the show

You can visit my website for links to other episodes and see aerial photography of South Central Alaska at:
https://www.katiewritergallery.com

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Today's episode includes an interview with David Kochevar of AAWU, Alaska Aviation Weather Unit of Anchorage, Alaska. David has been a long time meteorologist and loves to share his work on helping not only aviators with weather forecasting, but serving the public as well.

This past year, updates were made to the forecasting models for general aviation as an improvement to weather forecasting. Dave discusses some of those updates as well as the importance of warning systems for volcanic activity and ash warnings in Alaska.

At the end of March, Alaskas are also thinking about spring break up when all the river ice breaks up, sometimes causing flooding and havoc on villages, towns and communities.

Here are some links on all the resources available on the world wide web.

AAWU website: https://www.weather.gov/aawu
NWS Alaska: https://www.weather.gov/alaska
Alaska Pacific River Forecast Center: https://www.weather.gov/aprfc

Thank you for listening to the Alaska Climate and Aviation Podcast!

Katie Writer

For those interested in the birds eye view of Alaska, I am now offering super cub flights in my airplane. Check out: www.cubflights.com

Support the show

You can visit my website for links to other episodes and see aerial photography of South Central Alaska at:
https://www.katiewritergallery.com

Send us Fan Mail

Brian McCullough moved to Alaska in 1977 from Fresno, California to work on his uncle's gold mines in the foothills of Denali. Brian quickly caught the adventurous spirit and built his homestead on a high ridge above Talkeenta. His passion for all things mountaineering and building custom homes filled over four decades while living in Alaska. His first mountain rescue with the 'Mountain Maniacs' saved 2 lives from a plane crash at 10,000 on Denali in the month of December, 1981. This led to Brian's role participating in high mountain rescues in Denali National Park. Brian worked as a guide for several guiding companies on the slopes of the highest mountain of North America. He shares his observations of climate change in the Alaska Range through the lens of his camera. His photography has been shared throughout hundreds of lectures of climbing in the Alaska Range. As a master carpenter, his first sawmill that he acquired at age 22, cutting lumber out of the vast forest surrounding Talkeetna, shaped his life building custom homes. Above all, Brian loves sharing his passion for adventure and the outdoors with others.

He can be contacted at: www.talkeetnapro.com

Thank you for listening to the Alaska Climate and Aviation Podcast.

If you are interested in booking a flight for a Super Cub ride, contact Katie at:

www.cubflights.com

www.katiewritergallery.com

Katie Writer

907-863-7669

Journalist/Pilot/Photographer

www.katiewritergallery.com

Support the show

You can visit my website for links to other episodes and see aerial photography of South Central Alaska at:
https://www.katiewritergallery.com