Misty Mountains

The **Misty Mountains** or **Hithaeglir** were the most prominent chain of Mountains in Middle Earth, separating Eriador from Rhovanion.

## Misty Mountains

### Inhabitants

Dwarves (mostly Durin's Folk), Stone Giants, Eagles, Skin-changers, Goblins, Orcs, Balrog

## Geography

The mountains were a long and slightly serpentine ridge that separated Eriador from Rhovanion, running 900 miles from North to South. At the far north, it formed a T with the Grey Mountains and Mountains of Angmar, and at this point lay Gundabad. In the South, they approached the perpendicular ridge of the White Mountains, and between them lay the Gap of Rohan, which allowed for passage from Enedhwaith to Anorien.

The ridge contained some of the tallest peaks in Middle Earth. Notable peaks including Gundabad at its northern edge, Methedras at its Southren, above Isengard, and the three peaks of Celebdil, Fanuidol and Cardhras over Moria. Celebdil, to which the Endless Stairs climbed from Moria and out to Durin's Tower, was said to have been th highest peak in Middle Earth.

The ridge could be traversed through several passages, including various tunnels like the ones that would house Moria and Goblin-Town, but also by the Redhorn Pass above Moria and the High Pass north of Rivendell. There was also a pass at the source of the Gladden River.

The ridge was the source of several rivers, including the Langwell that formed in part the source of the Great River Anduin, which itself ran parallel to the ridge in Rhovanion; the Gladden River, the Bruinen that surrounded Rivendell, the Mitheithel, and the Gwathlo which formed the border of the realm of Eregion.

## History

The Misty Mountains were created by the Vala Melkor during the Years of the Trees as a hindrance for Oromë, who would hunt his fell creatures. They would later serve as a deterrent for the Elves during the Great Journey, causing some to turn south. The Elves that would not cross the Misty Mountains would become the Nandor, the forefathers of the Silvan Elves.

Its earliest inhabitants were the Dwarves of Durin's Folk who settled in Khazad Dum, around the middle of the mountain chain, and spread out across the ridge. Their influence extended north to Gundabad and east to the Iron Hills. Also inhabiting the mountains were Stone Giants. Skin-changing Men arrived later and settled in the northern parts of the mountain range. However, when the Kingdom of Angmar was established in the far north, Orcs came down and drove the Skin-changers out to the Grasslands of the Upper Anduin. This threat also led to a migration of Hobbits from Rhovanion and across the mountains to Eriador and eventually the Shire.

Moria continued to flourish, largely impregnable to enemies, although the pass further north became infested with Orcs and Goblins. In TA 1300 the Orcs of the Misty Mountains started increasing and harassing the Dwarves. The awakening of Durin's Bane drove the Dwarves from their city. It also seems that some Dwarves, either before or after the Battle of Moria, dwelt on the eastern side of the mountains near Goblin-town. In TA 2480 the Orcs began establishing secret strongholds in the Mountains barring all the passes to Eriador from Rhovanion, including Goblin-town near the High Pass and, secretly, Moria itself. Smeagol, one of the last Stoor Riverfolk Hobbits to remain in the Gladden Fields, took the One Ring to the caverns beneath the Mountains, under Goblin-town, where it remained hidden for centuries.

Gondor would establish the fortress of Isengard on the edges of Enedwhaith beneath Methedras. It was later given to Saruman.

Thorin and Company used the High Pass to cross the Misty Mountains, and witnessed the mysterious Giants. Later they were captured by the Orcs of Goblin-town, and Bilbo encountered Gollum, taking the One Ring. The company slew the Great Goblin and encounter Azog and his Warg riders before being rescued by the Eagles who saw the fighting and fires from their nearby Eyries.

It seems that Beorn's people returned to the Mountains. Once the Orcs were decimated, the Beornings kept open the passages of the Ford of Carrock and the High Pass in return for tolls.

The Fellowship of the Ring faced the challenge to pass the Mountains. They decided to avoid the High Pass or the Gap of Rohan because of the threat of Orc patrols and Saruman's forces. They attempted to cross Redhorn Pass, but a powerful blizzard blocked it, forcing them to journey through Moria. There Gandalf was lost trying to stop Durin's Bane, and after falling into the abyss, he chased him up to the Dwarven Endless Stair and fought on the peak of Silvertine.

It is said that in the Fourth Age Durin VII led the Dwarves back to Moria.