By Julian MITCHELL

Mike Lawler has again published a book providing historical insight into the Crescenta Valley community. In his newest book, “Thrilling Tales of the Montrose Search and Rescue,” Lawler chronicles the numerous journeys of the historic Montrose Search and Rescue team. On Sunday afternoon, Lawler and members of the team shared some of these stories at a book-signing at Once Upon A Time bookstore in Montrose.

“Lots of people get lost on the Angeles
Crest,” said Lawler.

Lawler is a member of the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley and writes a column for the CV Weekly. Through his membership in the society, he came into contact with longtime Montrose Search and Rescue member, Fred Koegler.

Koegler has been collecting newspaper clippings of Montrose Search and Rescue missions for many years and had a plethora of information about the team. Lawler said he had enough information for “three to four books.”

“He’s got this gigantic box of newspaper clippings and he just dumped them on me,” said Lawler.

The writing process took over a year and had initially started as a film concept between Lawler and a friend. After that idea fell through, Lawler began what would be his seventh book.

He began assembling stories for the book by writing articles for the CV Weekly. Through this process he was able to narrow down stories and select the best ones to be published.

The book-signing began with Koegler and fellow member Steve Goldsworthy talking about operations and the history of the group, but not long into their presentation their pagers went off alerting them to an actual rescue call.

“I swear we didn’t plan this,” said Goldsworthy.

The duo let other team members respond to the call and returned to their stories that had made it into Lawler’s book. They also provided tips to their guests on how to best increase their survival chances if lost while hiking. Lawler was as enthralled as any member of the audience and could be seen listening in awe to the tales told by the pair.

“The thing about writers is, we don’t like to talk. We want to write,” said Lawler before handing the afternoon over to Koegler and Goldsworthy.

The Montrose Search and Rescue team is composed of about 25 members, all of whom are volunteering their time to respond to the rescues. While some members are retired, many maintain full time jobs in addition to volunteering their time.

“They put their lives on the line,” said Lawler.

Although the MSAR team appreciates having Lawler document their missions, Goldsworthy stated that just reading about their stories cannot convey the emotional turmoil that many rescue missions involve.

The Montrose Search and Rescue team was officially formed in 1965, although it had been performing search and rescue operations prior to the official formation.

Since the 1970s, the number of searches vs. rescues has been about equal, according to Goldsworthy. As technology has advanced over the years, some search missions have become easier. Goldsworthy handles a majority of the technical aspects of rescue missions, and knows firsthand how technology can play a role in helping save a life.

In one story that Goldsworthy told, all of the information the team had collected indicated that the missing individual was on the south side of the mountain. After having the individual send a photo to confirm the location, Goldsworthy was able to use location data to determine that the individual was in fact on the north side of the mountain, which is what the individual had been telling rescuers.

More stories like this are available in “Thrilling Tales of the Montrose Search and Rescue,” which is available online and at Once Upon A Time bookstore, 2207 Honolulu Ave. in Montrose. All profits will go toward the Montrose Search and Rescue team.

  Julian MITCHELL