While taking the pride, we are also humbled by the experiences of the people, who really experienced the true adventure, not by choice but by chance, for their survival, not pushing themselves to extremes, but being pushed, as a part of their lifestyle.
I remember, very long ago, once while travelling on a local train I saw a photograph in some magazine, of a Ladakhi Lady, a refill of gas cylinder, carrying on her back, typical of mountain load carrying. And the story ran something like, she was carrying this gas cylinder to her home which is two days walk through gorges, river crossings etc! Cant imagine myself carrying such a weight not even for half a Km at that altitude especially.
And then I read the story on BCMT
http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/travelogues-north-india-f61/stranded-alone-fresh-heavy-snow-fall-122-winter-days-amazing-travelogue-t31578/ ; no photographs, no posers, no teasers, no masti. Yet, when you come across these incidents and comparing ourselves as winners of travelogues, where really do we stand? Its something to be delved.
We humbly accept the recognition with complete awareness that there are many people who have experienced more, much more adventure, yet their names do not appear in the travelogues, forums, in whos who, the unknown.