By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

The Montrose Search and Rescue (MSAR) team hosted a hike tryout on Saturday for those interested in being part of the team.

Nineteen prospective recruits were at Deukmejian Wilderness Park between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. to take part in the timed hike, which was about two miles in distance with an elevation gain of about 1400 feet. Candidates were timed on how long it took them to hike up the trail to a rock circle – about two miles in distance; they could return at a more leisurely pace as that was not part of the timed hike.

The goal, according to organizers, was to identify the candidates best qualified to join MSAR. Candidates were given an hour to complete the hike; none took that long.

The team responds to all types of calls, from lost hikers to cars that have gone over the side of the mountain in the Angeles National Forest. All team members are volunteers and complete a series of training before being voted onto the team by existing members. 

Saturday’s hike was a community outreach effort, one of several that the team holds. After hiking down the trail and checking out with MSAR members, each prospective member was invited to attend a MSAR meeting at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station.