Under Whitetop's spell

WHITETOP, Va — Neither rain nor snow has stopped Doug Ogle from climbing his beloved mountain.

That peak is Whitetop, spelled as one word — not two, he said.

It's a mile-high mountain that has been like a backyard for this longtime teacher and two-time author. It's where he'll drive or climb or ski or sled or hike — and simply explore with family and friends.

"Whitetop has given me more than I could ever do for it," Ogle said. "It has been like having a slightly oversized extra family member for most of my life."

'Entire scope' 

Born in Mount Airy, N.C., Ogle grew up in Hillsville, Va., and first began visiting Whitetop Mountain in the 1950s, roughly 200 years after Thomas Jefferson's father, Peter Jefferson, passed by the peak.

"When I was either 4 or 5," Ogle said, "it was one of my first real 'outdoor' memories."

Peter Jefferson dubbed it "Meadow Mountain," publishing that name on an early map.

The rise later would be called "White Top" or "Whitetop Mountain," taking that moniker from the grassy field atop the summit, though, today, most people likely guess that the "white" name comes from how the mountain appears several weeks a year: capped with snow.

"The grassy field on top, called the 'bald,' is a very unique habitat," Ogle said. "Its origin is unknown, but it was probably initiated by the last glacial age and is only maintained by current human intervention."

Ogle has studied the mountain, both professionally and personally.

He does contract work — field surveys and restoration research for endangered and threatened species.

    For 31 years, he taught in public schools and private and public colleges, including a lengthy stint at Virginia Highlands Community College.

He has taken hundreds of students to Whitetop Mountain on field trips.

And now he has self-published a book about it, "Whitetop: The Great Meadow Mountain of Virginia."

This marks a follow-up to a smaller volume Ogle self-published a couple of years ago as a guide to the Salt Trail, a rails-to-trails conversion linking Saltville to Glade Spring.

Ogle calls the new book a collection and a compilation of unpublished manuscripts.

That ranges from plants and animals to a visit in 1933 by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and about 20,000 people attending an outdoor music festival.

"I wanted to try and show the entire scope of information," said Ogle, who lives near Saltville, Va.

"I suspect that the information has a limited audience and no commercial publisher in their right mind would publish such an eclectic collection of seemingly disparate facts."

Still, Ogle said, "I hope public appreciation of and interest in Whitetop and other local mountains will be increased. I hope the information will inspire more public involvement in management issues and protection for our mountains."

'Always a privilege' 

Ogle packed his book with several photos, including some slides the author obtained from his father, Clinton Ogle, an avid photographer; some bird photos from photographer Stan Bentley; various postcards from his own collection; and historic images borrowed from the University of North Carolina.

Ben Jennings, a longtime associate professor of English and film at Virginia Highlands Community College, praised the book on Whitetop.

He also praised Ogle.

"It is always a privilege to take nature walks with him," Jennings said. "On a walk, he knows every plant, its ecological connection to the environment we are in, its traditional medicinal uses, its range, on and on."

Jennings has also invited his former colleague to speak at the Washington County Public Library in Abingdon, Va., on Feb. 26, 3 p.m.

"Since Whitetop is the iconic mountain in Southwest Virginia," Jennings said, "it would be natural for Doug to write about not only the natural and geologic history of the mountain but also its economic history."

But, first — before we go any further, there are a few things about Whitetop that Ogle wants you to know:

» It has one of the longest continual historical records of any mountain in Virginia and is a pivotal landmark;

» It has been visited by scientists and tourists for hundreds of years, many of whom left images and writings;

» Salamander diversity is extremely high, especially lungless;

» Whitetop is either the second or third highest elevation in the Commonwealth. "No one currently knows," Ogle said, "and it may not be possible to find out because of disturbance to the summit."

'Things in common' 

Ogle tries to visit the mountain during every season, and said "every time of day (or) night and each time was a meaningful experience."

Besides the salamanders, the Red Spruce trees on the summit are also "very unusual in the state," Ogle said.  

Still, despite the history and his long love for this mountain, Ogle does not pinpoint Whitetop as "unique."

"Whitetop isn't a unique mountain, but has things in common with other mountains nearby," he said.

"Comparing this mountain to others allows scientists to gain perspective about them all ... The geology is also very interesting and if not unique, certainly fascinating."    

It is also, to Ogle and many others, a great place to make an escape.

"I think of Whitetop as a 'representative' for high mountains in general," Ogle said. "People greatly benefit from the experiences that mountains offer."

jtennis@bristolnews.com | (276) 791-0704

Meet the Author

» What: Talk by Douglas W. "Doug" Ogle on "Whitetop: The Great Meadow Mountain of Virginia"

» When: Sunday, Feb. 26, 3 p.m.

» Where: Washington County Public Library, 205 Oak Hill St., Abingdon, Va.

» Info: (276) 676-6222

» Email: dougogle@comcast.net

How to Order

» "Whitetop: The Great Meadow Mountain of Virginia" is available directly from the author by writing: Douglas W. Ogle, 300 Poor Valley Rd., Saltville, Va., 24370