How Ligia Madrigal Scaled Everest in Her 50s

How Ligia Madrigal Scaled Everest in Her 50s

Fifty years is said to be half of life’s journey, but for Ligia Madrigal, it marked the beginning of her most ambitious expedition climbing Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth.

At 51, when many might contemplate slowing down, this Costa Rican mountaineer was preparing to write her name in history books.

On May 22, 2024, after decades of preparation and one previous unsuccessful attempt, Madrigal stood at 8,849 meters above sea level, becoming the first Costa Rican woman to reach Everest’s summit.

The achievement wasn’t just a personal victory but a hope to her indomitable spirit that began cultivating in childhood.

The Birth of a Mountaineer

From early childhood in San Pedro de Poás, Alajuela, she displayed an unmistakable restlessness and yearning for exploration.

As a young girl, her hands would sweat with excitement while climbing local mountains, foreshadowing the extraordinary path ahead.

Her passion for athletics initially started as child’s play but quickly evolved into her life’s driving force. Over time, casual running transformed into competitive racing, which eventually led to trail running and mountaineering each achievement inspiring her to pursue greater challenges.

“I’m someone who always tries to move forward; I don’t like to stagnate,” Madrigal once reflected. “When things move forward, I feel like I’m doing the right thing.”

A Life Built on Persistence

With more than 25 years of mountaineering experience, Madrigal’s resume reads like a global atlas of peaks climbed.

She’s scaled mountains across multiple continents from the European Alps to volcanoes in Patagonia, from Mexico’s Pico Orizaba to Guatemala’s Acatenango, and summits throughout Bolivia, Argentina, and Peru.

Her preference for ultra-endurance events reveals much about her character.

“Ultras are the ones I like the most because I know I’ll be spending about 40 hours in the mountains. I like them more and more, and I do them longer because I’ll be there longer,”

she explained, highlighting her unusual comfort with extreme physical challenges.

This mother, wife, and graphic designer by profession has consistently balanced family responsibilities with rigorous training.

Her dedication paid off in remarkable ways before Everest entered the picture. At 40, she became the first Central American to reach the podium in one of the world’s most prestigious trail races.

In 2017, she made history again by completing what’s considered the toughest race in the Italian Alpsanother Central American first.

The Everest Dream

The idea of climbing Everest wasn’t spontaneous but rather the culmination of decades spent testing her limits. “What if I climb Everest? Can I reach 8,848 meters above sea level?” she asked herself as she sought the next frontier.

Preparation for Everest consumed five years of Madrigal’s life, including 35 ascents of Cerro Chirripó, Costa Rica’s highest peak. The journey wasn’t without setbacks—including a frozen nose during her ascent of Aconcagua (6,961 meters) in 2022.

Her first Everest attempt in 2023 ended disappointingly. Despite reaching Camp 4 at 8,000 meters, adverse weather conditions forced her to turn back just 800 meters short of the summit. More tragically, two of her companions lost their lives during that expedition—a sobering reminder of the mountain’s dangers.

Rather than deterring her, these experiences only strengthened her resolve. “Against all odds, swimming against the current and without the right to give up,” as she posted on social media before her second attempt.

With support from sponsors BAC Credomatic, the National Insurance Institute, and Santa Ana Country Club, she returned to Nepal in early 2024, announcing she would reach her goal “no matter what.”

Top of the World

When Madrigal finally reached Everest’s summit shortly after 5:00 PM Costa Rican time on May 22, 2024, she became only the second Costa Rican ever to accomplish this feat—following Warner Rojas, who succeeded in 2012.

Her accomplishment is especially remarkable considering the expedition’s challenges. Fellow Costa Rican climber Daniel Vargas, who had reached base camp with her, was forced to abort the mission after suffering a viral infection and cerebral edema. The climb was bittersweet, as Madrigal could only savor the summit briefly before beginning the treacherous descent—often more dangerous than the climb itself.

At 52 (sources vary on her exact age), Madrigal had defied expectations and conventional wisdom about age and physical achievement.

Her journey represents far more than a physical conquest—it exemplifies how determination, methodical preparation, and unwavering focus can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Legacy and Future Horizons

Ligia Madrigal’s achievement transcends personal accomplishment. As the first Costa Rican woman to climb Everest, she has become an inspiration for generations of Central American athletes, particularly women who rarely see themselves represented in extreme mountaineering.

Madrigal’s pattern of seeking increasingly challenging adventures suggests she’s unlikely to rest on her laurels.

Her life philosophy of continuous forward movement indicates there will be new mountains literal or figurative in her sights.

Madrigal’s extraordinary journey proves that life’s greatest adventures need not be confined to youth. Sometimes, they begin at what others might consider the midpoint.

Her story reminds us that with passion, discipline, and persistence, the second half of life can lead to the highest pinnacles both on Earth and in human achievement.