High Pass

The High Pass, also named Cirith Forn en Andrath (S. "Northern Pass of the Long-climb"), was an important pass over the Misty Mountains.
On its western end was the refuge of Rivendell, and from there the Great East Road climbed into the mountains until it reached the mountain under which lay Goblin-town, and from thence down eastward into the Vales of Anduin.
== History ==
=== First Age ===
The High Pass was first created before the First Age by Oromë the Vala, in order to allow for a crossing of the mountains by the Eldar. Later in the First Age the High Pass was used by the Dwarves, who connected their roads (the Great East Road and the Men-i-Naugrim through Mirkwood) with it.
=== Second Age ===
In the later days of the Second Age, the High Pass was used by the armies of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men led by Gil-galad and Elendil when they marched through it on their way to confront the armies of Sauron in Mordor.
=== Third Age ===
During the later Third Age the Pass became dangerous again because of the Orcs increasing in the mountains. Only with the advent of the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, which nearly eliminated these Orcs, did the pass become safe again. Afterwards, the pass was considered safe for about one-hundred and forty years until TA 2940, just before the Quest of Erebor when goblins of Goblin-town had delved an entrance to their underground tunnels on the pass. Thorin and Company were captured there in TA 2941 when they intended to pass through the mountains on their way to the Lonely Mountain.
After the Battle of Five Armies, the pass was once again free from danger and was maintained by the Beornings, and for many years afterwards it became important for trade between Eriador and Rhovanion. During the War of the Ring, the Fellowship of the Ring bypassed the High Pass because the eastern side of the Misty Mountains had become too dangerous due to a winter snow storm. It was also the most obvious route they could have taken from Rivendell.