Why is it called peak "bagging?" - Moved from Q&A

[hikingfish]

I thought it was called "Peak bragging"?!

fish

 

[woodstrider]

As TR said..

"it ain't bragging if it's true!"

 

[Grumpy]

"it ain't bragging if it's true!"

(Remark attributed to Theodore Roosevelt.)

TR was right about many things. This was not one of them.

Webster tells us that to "brag" is "to engage in self glorification." I'd say that particular hiking boot fits many a peakbagger who has touted his/her "climbing" resume here, and/or in other places.

Hey, I often brag to friends and acquaintances about peaks ascended. And thoroughly enjoy their amazement and disbelief that such a portly, slow-moving and obviously out-of-shape, decrepit physical specimen such as I would even think of doing such a thing, much less actually going out and doing it. Why, often enough I amaze myself! Call me a peakbragger. It fits well.

G.