Trek to Everest Base Camp: (Re)composing a Sound-Trek and (Re)experiencing as Soundscape Remix

Abstract

This ethno-artistic essay proposes to contribute to debates concerning soundscape ecology, ecomusicology and the Anthropocene by investigating the human context and personal dimension of soundscape reception, perception and intervention through varying outputs. It seeks to tie in with this special issue of CfP "A Sonic Anthropocene – Sound Practices in a Changing Environment" via the suggestion of new forms of discursive involvement with the changing environment, such as artistic (re)interpretation or remix of soundscape source material, audio-visual and literary storytelling, and also textual travel logging and field notes. My goal with this essay is three-fold. The first, to conduct a poietic re-signification of various soundscapes recorded in 2018 during a trek between Lukla and Mount Everest, Nepal. The second, to provide a more in-depth ethno-artistic proposal via the presentation of accompanying audiovisual essays in the form of story maps (thus further demonstrating transformational processes between lived and relived experiences), and thirdly, due my own trek playing a part in the ongoing touristification of Everest, to suggest – through my audio-textual-visual work – possible creative, reverential and positive potentialities in alternate methodologies for ethnographers and data-gatherers alike, particularly in documenting the shifting Everest environment and providing a ‘picture in time’ of its changing land and soundscape.