Do you do dangerous or highly unpleasant activities just for bragging rights?

[unicorn]

My sister was in town, so we had dinner with her and her daughter and discussed, among other things, our upcoming travels. My husband and I mentioned that we're taking a cruise to Antarctica in a few months, and my sister mentioned that she was dunked in the Southern Ocean, where the freezing temperature of the ocean water is -2C, and she mentioned that she'd also done so in the Arctic Ocean at a similar freezing temperature. We both chimed in that we were quite certain we wouldn't partake in such an adventure. I've always thought that such activities were foolish (in fact, I'm surprised that it seems no one has suffered a medical calamity while doing such activities). I've also always thought it ridiculous that people risk their lives and suffer extreme hardship just so they can say they climbed Mount Everest (or similar). 

I feel somewhat less strongly about challenges which are simply very painful and challenging, but at least not very life-threatening. We're friends with a married couple, one 28 and the other 39, for example, who've recently climbed Mount Whitney (in June) and trekked to Everest Base Camp about a month ago. After the first climb, one could barely walk for 1 week, and the other for 2 weeks. They described the trek as beautiful, but fairly miserable, with both having explosive diarrhea for a couple of days. I followed their journeys on social media, and expressed admiration for their tenacity. I must admit, I'd love to make it to the summit of Mount Whitney, but would only do so if it were possible to get up there on the back of a mule. 

If I'm to undergo a difficult challenge, there has to be a limit to the degree of discomfort, as well as a high reward. The most arduous things I've done are a climb up Fuji-San, and the hike to Waterwheel Falls and LeConte Falls in Yosemite. I would say that the scenery was worth it, especially the Yosemite scenery, although if there had been a cog railway or funicular to those falls, I'd have chosen those (those options are much more likely in the Alps than in US National Parks). 

Waterwheel Falls:

LeConte Falls:

So will you undergo hardship to experience unique views? How about just for bragging rights?

[PeterRS]

2 hours ago, unicorn said:

So will you undergo hardship to experience unique views? How about just for bragging rights?

To experience unique views; definitely. For bragging rights; No.