After becoming the first woman to solo-summit the highest peak in the country, Monique Richard had to be rescued by helicopter off of Mt. Logan on Saturday night during her descent.

The 43-year-old Montreal woman reached the 5,959-metre peak last Thursday, achieving her goal of being the first solo woman to accomplish the feat.

In a brief email to the Star this morning, Richard’s agent, Francois Masse, confirmed Richard was rescued off the mountain on her way down.

He also pointed out reaching the summit was “a historical moment.”

Of the rescue, he noted: “She had very bad weather and some communications failures. Yes she had to be evacuated. She is well. And still pumped about all this.”

Richard had begun the climb on May 15.

A Canadian Press story last week highlighted her accomplishment.

“Tonight I sleep at 5,144 metres,” Richard said in a brief exchange with The Canadian Press.

“Wow! 815 metres to go. Awesome. I am so lucky. Tired. Burned face but still smiling.”

It went on to note that weather was always anticipated to be a factor with year-round winter conditions including temperatures that can drop to -40 C and winds of more than 160 km/h.

Posts from her Facebook page (Monique Richard Alpiniste) note that on Sunday, she was staying in Haines Junction at the “fantastic Mount Logan Lodge.”

She has ruled out another Logan climb in the future.

Masse said they are headed to Whitehorse today.

No one from Parks Canada was available to comment on the airlift rescue, which took place in Kluane National Park and Preserve.