Stand Up That Mountain: The Battle to Save One Small Community in the Wilderness Along the Appalachian Trail

by Jay Erskine Leutze

In the tradition of A Civil Action —this true story of a North Carolina outdoorsman who teams up with his Appalachian neighbors to save treasured land from being destroyed will “make you want to head for the mountains” ( Raleigh News & Observer ).

LIVING ALONE IN HIS WOODED MOUNTAIN RETREAT, Jay Leutze gets a call from a whip-smart fourteen-year-old, Ashley Cook, and her aunt, Ollie Cox, who say a local mining company is intent on tearing down Belview Mountain, the towering peak above their house. Ashley and her family, who live in a little spot known locally as Dog Town, are “mountain people,” with a way of life and speech unique to their home high in the Appalachians. They suspect the mining company is violating North Carolina’s mining law, and they want Jay, a nonpracticing attorney, to stop the destruction of the mountain. Jay, a devoted naturalist and fisherman, quickly decides to join their cause.

So begins the epic quest of “the Dog Town Bunch,” a battle that involves fiery public hearings, clandestine surveillance of the mine operator’s highly questionable activities, ferocious pressure on public officials, and high-stakes legal brinksmanship in the North Carolina court system. Jay helps assemble a talented group of environmental lawyers to contend with the well-funded attorneys protecting the mining company’s plan to dynamite Belview Mountain, which happens to sit next to the famous Appalachian Trail, the 2,184- mile national park that stretches from Maine to Georgia. As the mining company continues to level the forest and erect the gigantic crushing plant on the site, Jay’s group searches frantically for a way to stop an act of environmental desecration that will destroy a fragile wild place and mar the Appalachian Trail forever.

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment, Nature, History, Unfinished, Conservation, Book Club

400 pages, Paperback

First published June 5, 2012

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flat loved this book. Sure, I wish there had been pictures and even a roster of characters (so many nicknames!), but those are quibbles in the face of Leutze’s enthusiasm for protecting the Appalachian Trail viewshed and his love of the mountains and people of western North Carolina. He connects to his neighbors in fundamental ways and connects the readers with them too. I rooted for Ollie (oh, she of homespun wisdoms) and her brilliant teenaged niece, Ashley. And pulled just as hard against Dear Ol’ Dad and the Bald Eagle. Leutze makes these Appalachian people real unlike others who exploit hillbilly stereotypes. I’m reminded of growing up in small town Kentucky amidst conflicting interests about land use and environmental concerns. The tension between private enterprise and public lands could not have been presented more dramatically. Leutze, while zealously championing conservation, doesn’t seem to antagonize many of his neighbors in the long run. Even long-suffering, would-be mine operator, Paul, doesn’t hold a grudge post litigation. Maybe because it would feel like striking an overly exuberant dog that only wants to give you a big sloppy kiss. I’m putting this segment of the AT on my bucket list.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book on several levels. The true storyline is gripping, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The author totally captures the uniqueness of the people and landscape of the Southern Appalachians. Leutze's writing style draws you into this world, making it accessible through the cadence of the local mountain dialect, vivid descriptions of the Roan highlands, and finding humor in the most dire of situations. This is a book I would love to hear recorded!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here are some of the Kindle notes that accompanied the reading of this book:

Gaaaah.
Aw hail no.
Shame on you, US Forest Service.
Oh, Jesus. (Wrote this several times.)
Ass.
I hate capitalism sometimes.
Good grief. (Wrote that one a lot, actually.)
Pretty stupid. In what other job can you not just fix your mistakes? (I'm looking at you, Charles.)
Infuriatingly stupid.
Then what's the f'ing point of the mining commission?
Uuugh, lobbyists.

Basically! This book is about a gravel company ruining the views at a certain scenic point on the Applachian Trial, and our author does a lot of research, meets up with a lot of people, goes through a lot of courtroom drama, and does a lot of awareness-raising to the public and media to **SPOILER** finally save the damn trail. Thank God for you, Jay E. Leutze. Also, now I need to go hike on the Trail.

While this was a good and important story, I'm only giving it a 3 rating because it draaaagged. Especially when you get halfway through and think they've won in court and, ah no, they have to go through 10,000 appeals. The court system is pretty awesome in making sure things are fair but it's all so obviously wrong that this gravel company was digging into the mountain in the first place that you just want to pull your hair out.

I also had a couple of annoying moments with the author when he's blahblahing about the building in the mountain areas of NC for tourists, etc. 100% agree that it shouldn't be done willy-nilly, Jay, but not all of us inherited acres of beautiful mountain property :( Maybe we want to visit too? Stop being so judge-y. Also, he spends time at the beginning talking about how important gravel is to...everything...so I think the book would have been a bit stronger if he briefly talked about other places to obtain gravel. Because I felt like, Yeeessss, save the mountains and the Trail! But then a little voice said, But where will we get the gravel? From...some other mountain?

[David V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an ARC from the publisher. To be released in June.

Wowee!!!!! What a book! The true story of a small group of people in the mountains of North Carolina fighting a wealthy quarry owner from opening a stone grinding operation within sight of the Appalachian Trail. First, it's a wonderful travel guide for that part of NC. Secondly it reads like a mystery story. I was reading faster toward the end because I wanted to know the result of all the hearings. With the emotional highs and lows, the machinations of all the legal maneuvers, the "Simon Legree" villain, and the quirky locals, this would make one heck of a movie. Ranks alongside A Civil Action for its fight for conservationism.

[Hope Figuero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book makes me appreciate and admire the "little people" who take on greed and abuse to stand up for their community so that future generations will still have wild spaces to enjoy unspoiled. My dad grew up in Cranberry so I grew up visiting my granny and am familiar with this beautiful area far removed from major cities and development. I thought the author did a great job of portraying the people of this area and in describing the vast beauty that has been preserved.

[Noah Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time! Jay does an incredible job of showing how a few impassioned individuals can be the impetus of change in environmental regulation. It is a stark reminder that environmental change starts with stricter environmental regulation. Loved the book, the lively characters, and Hump Mountain!

[Ellen Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book that I learned about when rereading one of my favorite books of all time, Becoming Odyssa.

This book is well written and interesting. It is not only a play by play of the long drawn out battle you would expect with all the government agencies involved, but also the story of the authentic mountain people who live on the edges of the site in Avery County. I was delighted to also discover the origin of the wording of the title to the book as I read.
The effort the author went to in telling the tale of the mountain and also his direct exhaustive involvement in the fight to educate, inform, and remedy is much appreciated by this native North Carolinian.

[Grantpinkston · Rating 4 out of 5]

It got good at the end which pushed it to 4 stars but I didn’t really like this. It was windy in a bad way and all of the details didn’t feel relevant. It is a cool story for someone interested in an environmental law case but otherwise it would make for a great longread-type article. Also crazy that I am so unfamiliar with this part of North Carolina

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Jay Lutze descriptions of the Roan Highlands in “Stand Up that Mountain”, reminded me of John Muir’s writings of the Sierra Nevada’s. As I read his book, I felt I was there at one of the most beautiful places in the world. I read the book so as to coincide with a run I did with friends along the Appalachian Trail from 19E to Carver’s Gap and back. It was really special to be able to see the places he described in the book.

The book is the true story of a lawyer who teams up with his neighbors and environmental lawyers to stop an improperly permitted strip gravel mining of a mountain. The mine was right next door to a number of Appalachia locals homes and to the Appalachian Trail but there was no public hearing to consider the input. The legal wrangling was more detailed in the book than I cared to hear but I am pretty good at skimming such sections. Overall, it was a great read and I highly recommend a trip to the Roan Highlands and the book!

[Tuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

an intimate and sympathetic view of southern Appalachia mountain environment and human cultures, and the horror show that is mountaintop removal coal mining.
leutze and his neighbors are pretty naive in the initial dealings with mining and resource extraction, but they soon learn fat cats rule and little folks have to fight like hell for any little crumb of justice or decency.

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Read it several years ago, and am actually taking our family on a short vacation to the area later this week simply because I loved this book. We will stay in Roan Mountain State Park, and hike the balds. I've wanted to since I read it, and am thrilled to finally go. Such an amazing inspiring story. The world needs more people like Jay and Ollie.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to see it preserved from development. This story is inspiring because it shows that sometimes companies can be stopped from desecrating nature.

[Maggie Silton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stand Up That Mountain is an inspiring true story that reads like a novel you can't put down.

[Susan Maclean]

Must read in today's political climate of misuse of public lands , climate change denial and gag order on EPA and grant freeze.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had forgotten about this book on my TBR list until someone gave it to my husband since he's from Boone. I found it to be a really interesting story, especially since I am somewhat familiar with the area Leutze is talking about. There is a lot of illuminating information in here about local and state bureaucracy and the processes surrounding those institutions and their interaction with both businesses and individuals. Some people could find that pretty dry, but I am always kind of fascinated by that stuff (from afar, it's probably kind of maddening if you are actually in the midst of it). I also enjoyed that this story motivates and inspires you to seek out environmental action or causes, especially within your own neighborhood. It offers a sort of road map for how citizens really can push back and work to affect change.

I did think the book was overly long and lagged in parts. I also felt like it's evident Leutze and his family must be pretty well-connected/well-established within the state and while Leutze kind of alludes to that, he also sort of downplays it and focuses more on his own Thoreau-like, humble existence and that aspect of his upbringing. It just felt slightly disingenuous to me because I think his status and connections played a large part in his ability to get this case where it needed to go. Still, I have to say he's putting that privilege to much better use than a lot of people, so can't fault him there.

I'd recommend this to people who are interested either in state and local politics or who care about the Appalachian region. I found it compelling.

[Alechia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stand Up That Mountain is about a man's life on an idyllic mountainside getting upended by a new unwanted granite crushing operation. Not only will Jay and his neighbors suffer, the Appalachian Trail will too.

This is so gripping! I appreciated this so much for being well written, engaging and informative. This is a rollercoaster of wins and setbacks. This book brought out my emotions for sure with both aggravating politics and comic relief. Leutze takes you with him on his journey, but is in no way preachy. The individual lives of the mountain community were such gems that added a depth to this book. I felt it was highly engaging throughout, despite the subject of law not being something I ever pick up on my own.

[Dick Whittington · Rating 4 out of 5]

True account of the 10-year battle to save a mountain from becoming an open-pit mine in Avery County, North Carolina destroying the wilderness experience along one of the prettiest portions of the Appalachian Trail and the homelife of neighboring residents. Very interesting and well written. Enjoyed it except for the super small font used...way too small for my eyes and much more difficult reading that my Kindle where I can adjust the print size.

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really fascinating story that goes on just a little too long. As a Northwest NC native, Jay does a great job capturing the character of the region and the people. His writing style makes a rather dry legal drama enthralling. That said, the "Part Two" which consists of the final 100 pages could've been summed up in a chapter or two. I would still recommend this book to anyone interested in environmental issues in Appalachia.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best nonfiction that I have read this year! I couldn't read it fast enough! The story occurs in the area near where I live. Knowing some of the places mentioned in the book made the story even more appealing. With all that was against saving the beautiful area, I am surprised the court case ruled in favor of those involved in trying to keep the area as is. There's so much that i want to say, but I can't without ruining the reading of the book for others.

[William Orndorff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is best when telling the stories of the people who make a good fight for something worth fighting for. I enjoyed reading about the fight and the beauty of the Roans, but I found myself slogging through the retelling of legal precedents. I did enjoy the book and was greatful for the happy ending I just think it could have told something as compelling, if not more, in fewer pages.

[Lark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational. I learned so much about conservation in this real life page turner. How come so many regular folks like me know so little about how we can help protect land? Loved how brutally honest author was in his emotions, feelings, health in describing his relentless, persistent fight to do the right thing. Must read.

[Karen Trostle · Rating 3 out of 5]

True story. Inspiring what one person can do. I speed read it as I’m not fond of reading about the legal process, although I have a great respect for it.
I missed where the title came from.
I loved Ollie and Ashley. I was impressed that Paul Brown assisted in helping write the book

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. It read almost like a John Grisham book except that it’s a true story. The characters were well drawn with some of them almost comical but I had a good visual image of each one by the time the story ended.

[Sara Joy Tiberio · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story about perseverance and people brought together in the face of adversity, but the book was painstakingly long for me with lots of details I didn't feel added anything majorly significant to the story. It may be interesting to someone interested in the legal system and law.

[Rebecca Knudsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book and getting to know more about that area of NC. It’s a love letter to the Southern Appalachian Trail. The politics interwoven with the conservationist effort made for a remarkable page-turner.

[Elizabeth "Betsy" Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel a huge kinship with the author evoking memories of people and places I know along the Appalachian Trail and in the small communities surrounding. I can smell the trees and hear the bluegrass if I close my eyes.for.a quick moment.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for the Mainspring Trust Virtual Book Club. Good story and good story telling.

[Mark Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy read and good first effort by the author. There were too many minor characters to keep up with without identifying tags. They slowed this reader down.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at a thrift store. I liked true stories and I think Jay did a good job of telling the story. However, I felt like he could have cut 100 pages from it.

[Florence Buchholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a classic tale of a great despoiler of the land, a rock crushing operation, versus the poor folks who have always lived on the mountain. A giant, deafening machine is poised to turn an ancient peak into a heap of gravel. Nature's passionate defender, the author, is a young man who prefers the quiet solitude of an Appalachian mountaintop to a law career that his education has prepared him for. I was kept in suspense until the last pages and I won't reveal the outcome here. I was most impressed by Jay Leutze's true friendship with the mountain people.