Bogong High Plains Sound Map

​Today I returned to Falls Creek to continue gathering material for the sound map. It was the first time I'd returned to the resort since the regional lockdown began. The place was empty except for the resort staff. I was there to record the chairlift's boarding area at Slalom Plaza, Eagle Express, and Summit. The last time I was documenting at the resort, I had to park the van on BHP road. Jacob and I then trudged around from one location to another in snowshoes, which was tiresome. Today was so much easier; the snow ploughs had cleared the roads, and I was able to drive up to The Bowel. Skiers were enjoying the slopes the last time I'd been there; this time around, the slopes were empty.  It was a meditative experience sitting sheltered in the chairlift's boarding area, looking out to the barren slopes, listening to the gusts of wind rise and fall. From time to time, an Australian Ravan would let out a mournful call. 

At the Slalom Plaza chairlift, the predominant sound was of water dripping off the roof onto the ground. It formed small puddles and rivulets, which ran into a drain. I finished the day at Windy Corner day car park. The last time I was there, the area lived up to its name. I was with Jacob; it was the end of a hard day. I thought it would be good to get one last recording before calling it a day.  It was a lost cause; there was a mighty wind; we were tired and struggled to keep the microphone upright. This time around, the air was still, and the place was quiet; if a pin dropped, you would probably have heard it hit the ground. The car park was empty except for one family.  They returned to their car just before I hit the record button. I got a lovely recording of them happily chatting away and the kid kicking a football back and forth.  After that, I made my down back to Bogong Village. All up, I made a total of six 15minute recordings. Once again, using the AMBEO and the MixPre-6.