Misty Mountains

The Misty Mountains are the central fact of any Middle-earth map. They begin at Mount Gundabad where the Grey Mountains branch away east, and run almost due south to Methedras at the Gap of Rohan. West of them lies Eriador, with Rivendell tucked into their western valleys and Eregion at their feet further south. East of them the Anduin runs the whole length of the range, with Mirkwood beyond it and Lothlórien below the Silverlode.

The Elvish name Hithaeglir means the line of misty peaks. The Silmarillion says Melkor raised them to hinder Oromë's riding, which puts their origin before the sun and moon. Three peaks above Moria carry names of their own: Caradhras the red, Celebdil the white and Fanuidhol the grey.

Crossing them is hard. In the north the High Pass above Rivendell runs through goblin tunnels. Further south the Redhorn Gate beside Caradhras is high and exposed. The safest route was never over the mountains at all but under them, through Khazad-dûm, and once the Balrog woke in TA 1980 that road closed too. Travelers who wanted neither took the long way around by the Gap of Rohan. That detour adds hundreds of miles, which is why the passes matter so much in both books.

Both journeys turn on this range. Bilbo crossed by the High Pass in TA 2941, was caught by goblins, and found the Ring in the tunnels under it. The Fellowship tried Caradhras in January TA 3019, was driven back by snow and by whatever malice sits in the mountain, and went under instead through Moria, where Gandalf fell. Orcs of the Misty Mountains harried the vale of Anduin for centuries, and eagles nested on the eastern slopes.

Events at this place

1. TA 2799 · Appendices

   Battle of Azanulbizar

   The War of the Dwarves and Orcs ended in the valley below the East-gate of Moria, on the eastern flank of the range.

2. TA 2941 · The Hobbit

   Bilbo finds the Ring beneath the High Pass

   Thorin's company was taken by goblins in the High Pass. Bilbo, separated in the tunnels, found Gollum's ring and escaped by riddling for his life.

3. TA 3019, January 12 · The Lord of the Rings

   The Fellowship turns back on Caradhras

   Snow and falling stone stopped the company on the Redhorn Pass in January, forcing them to take the road under the mountains.

4. TA 3019, January 25 · The Lord of the Rings

   Gandalf and the Balrog on Celebdil

   The duel that began on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm ended on the peak of Celebdil, where Gandalf threw the Balrog down and died.

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