# Eustace Conway Confirms Rumors About “Mountain Men” at 63

Eustace Conway, a prominent figure on the History Channel’s “Mountain Men,” has finally addressed long-standing rumors about the show and his off-grid life at the age of 63.

Known for his naturalist lifestyle and ownership of the 1,000-acre Turtle Island Preserve in Boone, North Carolina, Conway’s journey from obscurity to television fame brought both recognition and significant challenges, which he now openly discusses.

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Conway was not raised in the wilderness but chose it at 17, leaving home to live in a teepee and embracing a primitive lifestyle with homemade buckskin clothes. His daring feats include canoeing 1,000 miles on the Mississippi River at 18, hiking the 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail, and setting a world record for coast-to-coast horseback travel in 103 days.

With degrees in anthropology and English from Appalachian State University, Conway’s love for nature was evident, inspired by his family’s legacy of educators and outdoorsmen. His Turtle Island Preserve became a center for teaching wilderness skills, embodying his belief in living harmoniously with nature.

However, fame from “Mountain Men,” which premiered on May 31, 2012, introduced turmoil. The show, focusing on survivalists like Conway, Marty Meierotto, and Tom Oar, faced allegations of being scripted. Viewers and critics questioned the authenticity of dramatic scenes, such as Kid and Harry Yuran’s ATV accident in an episode titled “Tom’s Big Day.”

Comments from cast member Tom Oar to the Billings Gazette suggested producers sometimes exaggerated dangers for entertainment, fueling perceptions of fabrication that diminished the show’s credibility and viewer trust over time.

Conway’s personal struggles intensified post-show. After featuring Turtle Island on “Mountain Men,” legal battles emerged. In 2012, following an anonymous tip and a detailed map of alleged illegal structures, the Watauga County Planning and Inspection Department investigated his preserve.

They found unpermitted buildings lacking proper sewer, water connections, and code-compliant materials, citing safety hazards. Conway faced options to upgrade, certify, or demolish the structures. He contested the scrutiny, believing it was tied to his TV exposure, and argued for the right to build with local materials, supported by inspector Drew Kelly’s assessment that the buildings exceeded basic standards despite not meeting modern codes.

Further complicating matters, a 2005 incident at Turtle Island led to a lawsuit when visitor Kimberly Baker was blinded in one eye by a stone during a demonstration.

Settlements totaling $475,000, including $75,000 from Conway, strained his finances, forcing him to mortgage land. Unable to meet deadlines, additional legal action followed, coinciding with his filming commitments.

Conway’s revelations confirm that “Mountain Men” brought more troubles than benefits, linking his misfortunes to the show’s spotlight.

From staged drama rumors to real legal and financial woes, his candidness offers fans a raw glimpse into the cost of fame, contrasting sharply with the rugged independence he sought in the wilderness.