Offbeat Interview Series with Faye

September 19, 2017 10:33 pm

Faye ‘Faysie Daisy’ Atkinson

Born and bred in a small country town in the state of Victoria, Australia, Faye was able to roam wild and free as a child. Because Australia is the driest permanently inhabited continent on earth, all Aussies are drawn to water. She starts to desiccate if she can’t be in or on fresh or saltwater, on a regular basis. Soaking in a bathtub relieves symptoms if a larger body of water is unavailable.

Her first experiences with moving water involved observing the course of sticks thrown into minor creeks and gutters after momentary flood events. This progressed to canoes and kayaks in college. Subsequently, Faye fell in love with river travel. As she says “Rivers take us into the true heart of the country that they traverse. The Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rivers are truly piercing.”

Faye began working in the outdoors in 1984 when a couple of friends started a company providing outdoor education programs for private schools based in Melbourne. In 1989 Faye wandered off to Canada and kept wandering till this day, drawn by geography and all that water.

When she is not working in the outdoors, Faye can be found under a tree reading a good book or the New York Times. Or engaged in some kind of extended wilderness journey be it bushwalking, bicycling, backcountry skiing, sea kayaking, pack-rafting etc. Currently in the winter months (in the northern hemisphere), Faye can be found working in the Pormpuraaw aboriginal community on Cape York in Australia. Preserving culture.

The Interview

If you could be a river superhero, what would you be? A platypus leading a victorious mob of 100,000 wild salmon back to their spawning grounds on the Salmon River and its tributaries.

What is your favorite dress up theme? Whatever Kiki recommends.

What is your ‘go to’ crazy hat night creation? Whatever Whizzy puts on my head.

What brought you to Canyons? A slightly broken arm, Laura Bechdel, and Greg McFadden.

How many years have you worked here? Must be around 5?

What is your favorite thing about Canyons? Small, intimate company running beautiful rivers with absolutely stellar guides, starry owner Greg and stellar founders Les and Susan Bechdel.

If you could describe Canyons in 3 words? Joyous. Hard-working. Spirit.

When you hear the word Idaho, what comes to mind? Elk, wilderness, rivers, rednecks, hot springs, Cecil D. Andrus, Frank Church

What are your top three favorite camps? Alder (MN), Fawn (MN), Marble Left (MF). And of course anything without human footprints.

Your favorite hike? The off-piste ridge walk on river right below Camas Creek.

Top three favorite rapids? Hancock (Main Salmon) because it reminds me of my laughing cousin, Mario Hancock. So many rapids, so many different levels; my favorite rapids are different every trip.

Currently, what is your nemesis rapid? Will let you know part way through the next season.

What river do you want to run that you haven’t yet? The Fitzroy.

What do you consider a ‘real’ job? Any job is real.

If you could only have one kayak in your quiver, what would it be and why? Necky Jive because that’s what I’ve got waiting for me in the Canyons warehouse.

What is your favorite thing to cook on the river? Pistachio encrusted Brie. (Because I get to eat lots of pistachios while no one’s looking.)

If you could take a musician or band down the river today, who would it be? Jimmy Barnes.

What is your most memorable swim in a river? Kawarau River in New Zealand out of a kayak. Long rapid with a brief interlude above a Class 6 waterfall.

What is one of your river rituals or superstitions? Nothing, in particular, I just make sure my life jacket is extra snug above big rapids.

What is your most valued non river-related item that you bring with you on every trip? Contact lenses.

What is your favorite groover spot? Anywhere that doesn’t feel hemmed in.