What gets Forrest McCarthy up in the morning? “The prospect of exploring big and wild landscapes,” he says. In order to do so, McCarthy adopted a minimalist philosophy in his twenties, he says. “To successfully climb and ski in big mountains and wilderness areas I needed to be limber and move fast. To achieve this I learned to take only what was absolutely necessary and invest in the lightest, most durable equipment.” And in life, like in the mountains, on the river or in the wilderness, being light and nimble allows him to focus on what really matters—experiencing a place and spending time with interesting people. McCarthy says he often feels as if he’s chasing rainbows, “when seeking ephemeral moments where light, landscape and emotion collide in a spectrum of magic and beauty.” However, more outside time means a greater likelihood of experiencing those moments. “As far as I know I only get one ride on the oasis we know as earth,” he says. “I plan to take full advantage of it.” Read our interview with McCarthy: “The Soul of Minimalist Backpacking: Forrest McCarthy's Ultralight Philosophy.”
