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{{location
{{location infobox
| image=[[Image:J.R.R._Tolkien_-_The_Misty_Mountains_looking_West_from_the_Eyrie_towards_Goblin_Gate.jpg|250px]]
| name=Misty Mountains
| name=Misty Mountains
| othernames=Hithaeglir, Mountains of Mist
| image=[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Misty Mountains looking West from the Eyrie towards Goblin Gate.jpg|250px]]
| etymology=
| caption="The Misty Mountains looking West from the Eyrie towards Goblin Gate" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| type=Mountain Range
| pronun=
| location=Between [[Eriador]] and [[Wilderland]], and [[Rohan]]'s northern border
| othernames=''Hithaeglir'' ([[Sindarin|S]])</br>The Mountains of Mist</br>Towers of Mist
| inhabitants=[[Dwarves]] of [[Durin's folk]], [[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], [[Giants]], [[Men]], [[Elves]], [[Ents]], [[Eagles]]
| location=Between [[Eriador]] and  [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]]
| realms=[[Khazad-dûm]], numerous Orc-realms
| type=Mountain range
| description=The largest mountain range in [[Middle-earth]]
| description=
| regions=
| towns=[[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], numerous [[Orc-holds]] including [[Goblin-town]]
| inhabitants=[[Dwarves]] of [[Durin's folk]], [[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], [[Giants]], [[Eagles]]
| created=[[Years of the Trees]]
| destroyed=
| events=The [[Great Journey]] of the Elves, awakening of [[Durin|Durin I]], awakening of the [[Balrogs|Balrog]], dominion of the Orcs, [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]]
| events=The [[Great Journey]] of the Elves, awakening of [[Durin|Durin I]], awakening of the [[Balrogs|Balrog]], dominion of the Orcs, [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]]
| gallery=the Misty Mountains
}}
}}
The '''Misty Mountains''', '''Mountains of Mist''' or '''Towers of Mist'''<ref name=s3/> ('''''Hithaeglir''''' in [[Sindarin]]<ref group="note">The Hithaeglir were misspelled as "Hithaiglin" on the original ''[[The Lord of the Rings|Lord of the Rings]]'' map. </ref> as a plural) was a great mountain range that lay between [[Eriador]] in the west and the Great River [[Anduin]] in the east.


The '''Misty Mountains''' or '''Mountains of Mist''' ('''''Hithaeglir''''' in [[Sindarin]]<ref group="note">The Hithaeglir were mispelled as "Hithaiglin" on the original ''[[The Lord of the Rings|Lord of the Rings]]'' map. </ref> as a plural) was a great mountain range that lay between [[Eriador]] in the west and the Great River [[Anduin]] in the east. They ran 795 miles (1,280 kilometers) from [[Mount Gundabad]] in the far north to [[Methedras]] in the south. Some of the peaks may have been as high as 12,000 feet (3,660 meters).<ref group="note">Their height as calculated in ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'' by [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]]. This would make the Misty Mountains of similar height as the Alps in Europe, which makes sense, since Tolkien visited the Alps in his youth and was greatly impressed by them.</ref>
== Geographic Features ==
In the far north, the Misty Mountains formed a '''T''' with the [[Grey Mountains]] and the [[Mountains of Angmar]].<ref name=map/> They ran 795 miles (1,280 kilometres){{fact}} to the [[Gap of Rohan]] in the south, where they approached vertically the [[White Mountains]]. The Gap was a passable valley between the southernmost peak of the Misty Mountains and the northernmost of the White.<ref group="note">[[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] estimates in the ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'' that some of the peaks may have been as high as 12,000 feet (3,660 meters), comparable to the Alps in Europe. Tolkien had visited the Alps in his youth and was greatly impressed by them.</ref>


== Geographic Features ==
The lands around the Misty Mountains included several forests, rivers and other populated areas. Such realms under the Mountains had been [[Angmar]], [[Eregion]], [[Dunland]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Fangorn]] and others.<ref name=map/> While Elves guarded both sides of the Misty Mountains, few ever crossed them.
The most important peaks were [[Mount Gundabad]], [[Caradhras|Redhorn]], [[Celebdil|Silvertine]], [[Cloudyhead]], and [[Methedras]].


=== Important Peaks ===
=== Important Peaks ===
The northernmost peak of the Misty Mountains was Mount Gundabad, where according to legend [[Durin]], eldest of the [[Seven Fathers of the Dwarves]], awoke. Later it became a haven for Orcs.
The northernmost peak of the Misty Mountains can be considered Mount [[Gundabad]],<ref name=map/> where according to legend, [[Durin]], eldest of the seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]], awoke. Later it became a [[Orc-holds|haven for Orcs]].


The greatest [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] realm in Middle-Earth, [[Khazad-dûm]], was located at the midpoint of the Misty Mountains. The city was built under three peaks, Redhorn (''[[Caradhras]]'' in Sindarin), Silvertine (''[[Celebdil]]''), and Cloudyhead (''[[Fanuidhol]]''). Inside Silvertine the Dwarves built the [[Endless Stair]], a stairway from the foundations of the mountain to its peak. The southernmost mountain was Methedras (Sindarin for "Last Peak").
The greatest [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] realm in Middle-Earth, [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], was located at the midpoint of the Misty Mountains. The city was built under three peaks, the [[Mountains of Moria]]: Redhorn (''[[Caradhras]]'' in Sindarin), Silvertine (''[[Celebdil]]'') and Cloudyhead (''[[Fanuidhol]]'').<ref name=south>{{FR|South}}</ref> Inside Silvertine the Dwarves built the [[Endless Stair]], a stairway from the foundations of the mountain to its peak.  
[[Image:Alan Lee - The Redhorn Gate.jpg|thumb|250px|''The Redhorn Gate'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
another place of interst is the cave were gollum spent over half his life catching and eating raw fish.


=== Passes over the Misty Mountains ===
The southernmost mountain was [[Methedras]] (Sindarin for "Last Peak").<ref name=map>{{FR|Map}}</ref>
The most important passes were the [[High Pass]] and the [[Redhorn Pass]]. There was also a pass at the source of the [[Gladden River]].  


=== Routes around the Misty Mountains ===
=== Passes===
The [[Gap of Rohan]] was a passable valley between the southernmost peak of the Misty Mountains and the northernmost of the [[White Mountains]]. In the far north the Misty Mountains formed a '''T''' with the [[Grey Mountains]], preventing a northern route around them.
[[Image:Alan Lee - The Pass of Caradhras.jpg|thumb|250px|"The Pass of Caradhras" by [[Alan Lee]]]]
The most important passes were the [[High Pass]] and the [[Redhorn Pass]]. There was also a pass at the source of the [[Gladden River]].<ref name=south/>


== History ==
== History ==
=== Origins ===
The Misty Mountains were created by the [[Valar|Vala]] [[Morgoth|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]].<ref name=s3>{{S|Captivity}}</ref>
The Misty Mountains were created by the [[Valar|Vala]] [[Morgoth|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]].
 
It is said that ancient [[bears]] lived in the Mountains until [[Giants]] arrived and the bears left to the lowlands.<ref name=queer>{{H|Queer}}</ref>
 
The great Dwarven city of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] (later called the "Black Pit" of [[Moria]]) was located near the middle of the mountain chain.  There [[Durin's folk]] lived for thousands of years with a kingdom which spread as far as Gundabad and as far east as the [[Iron Hills]].  


=== Inhabitants ===
At the southern tip of the Misty Mountains, beneath Methedras, was [[Isengard]], which was originally a [[Gondor|Gondorian]] fortress but was later given to [[Saruman]].
[[Dwarves]], [[Orcs]], [[Elves]], [[Men]], [[Hobbits]], [[Eagles]],[[gollum]], and [[Ents]] all lived beneath or alongside the Misty Mountains.  


====Dwarves====
Around {{TA|1050|n}}, the [[Harfoots]] migrated west across the Misty Mountains, fleeing the ever more numerous Men and the Shadow growing in [[Mirkwood]], thus the [[Hobbits]] entered history. Later the other two groups of Hobbits, the [[Stoors]] and [[Fallohides]], migrated west as well, until by 2500 no Hobbits could be found east of the mountains.  
The great Dwarven city of [[Khazad-dûm]] (later called the "Black Pit" of [[Moria]]) was located near the middle of the mountain chain.  There [[Durin's folk]] lived for thousands of years with a kingdom which spread as far as Gundabad and as far east as the [[Iron Hills]]. Until the awakening of [[Durin's Bane]], which drove the Dwarves from their city.  It also seems that some Dwarves either before or after the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], dwelt on the eastern side of the mountains near Goblin-town.  


When the Dwarves were strong, the mountains were generally free of Orcs, but when the [[Shadow]] was strong, Orcs bred in Mount Gundabad, in [[Goblin-town]] (where [[Bilbo Baggins]] found [[the One Ring]]), later in Moria itself, and everywhere in between.
When the Dwarves were strong, the mountains were generally free of Orcs, but when the [[Shadow]] was strong, Orcs bred in Mount Gundabad, in [[Goblin-town]], later in Moria itself, and everywhere in between. In {{TA|1300}} the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] started increasing and harassing the [[Dwarves]].<ref name=b2>{{App|B2}}</ref>


====Elves====
The awakening of [[Durin's Bane]] drove the Dwarves from their city.  It also seems that some Dwarves, either before or after the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], dwelt on the eastern side of the mountains near Goblin-town.  
The Elven enclave of [[Rivendell]], the home of [[Elrond]], was built in the western foothills beneath High Pass. On the eastern side of the mountains, near the source of the [[Silverlode]] river, lay the Kingdom of [[Lothlórien|Lorien]] under the rule of Lord [[Celeborn]] and Lady [[Galadriel]]. While Elves guarded both sides of the Misty Mountains, few ever crossed them.


====Men====
In {{TA|2480}} the Orcs began establishing secret strongholds in the Mountains barring all the passes to [[Eriador]] from [[Rhovanion]], while Sauron populated Moria with his creatures.<ref name=b2/>
The land east of the Misty Mountains and south of the Grey Mountains was the ancestral home of the [[Éothéod]], the forefathers of the [[Rohirrim]]. Their capital was [[Framsburg]].


====Wraiths====
Near the east exit of Goblin-town the Eagles kept an [[Eagle's Eyrie|eyrie]] to keep watch on the Orcs.<ref name=council>{{FR|Council}}</ref><ref>{{FR|South}}</ref>
In the [[Third Age]] the [[Witch-king]] built the Kingdom of [[Angmar]] in the western lands between the Misty Mountains and the Mountains of Angmar. The evil country was peopled by fallen Men, Orcs, and other creatures of [[Sauron]]. Its capital was [[Carn Dûm]]. At the southern tip of the Misty Mountains, beneath Methedras, was [[Isengard]], which was originally a [[Gondor|Gondorian]] fortress but was later given to [[Saruman]]. In the Third Age the south lands were protected by [[Rohan]].


====Hobbits====
[[Gandalf]] believed that it was the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] that had driven the people of [[Beorn]] away, and he promised to return there.<ref name=queer/>
Hobbits lived for untold years along the foothills of the Misty Mountains near the [[Vales of Anduin]]. Around {{TA|1050|n}}, the Hobbit group known as the [[Harfoots]] migrated west across the Misty Mountains, fleeing the ever more numerous Men and the Shadow growing in [[Mirkwood]]. Later the other two groups of Hobbits, the [[Stoors]] and [[Fallohides]], migrated west as well, until by 2500 no Hobbits could be found east of the mountains.


====Eagles====
[[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.<ref>{{H|Hill}}</ref>
Near the east exit of Goblin-town the Eagles kept an eyrie to keep watch on the Orcs. Much further south, Ents guarded [[Fangorn Forest]], the last remnant of the great [[Southern Forest]] that surrounded the Misty Mountains eons ago.
===Gollum===  gollum dwelled in the mountains for four hundered years.


=== In the Third Age ===
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.<ref name=council/>
[[Thorin and Company]] used the High Pass to cross the Misty Mountains, and were captured by the Orcs of Goblin-town.


Later the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] tried to cross Redhorn Pass, after choosing not to use the High Pass or the Gap of Rohan because of the threat of Orcs patrols or Saruman's forces. A powerful blizzard blocked the Redhorn Pass, forcing the Fellowship to journey through Moria. There they faced the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] that ruled the mines. Gandalf slew the Balrog by throwing it from the Silvertine, but sacrificied his own life in doing so.
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 [[Battle of the Peak|fought on the peak]] of Silvertine.<ref>{{TT|White}}</ref>


== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
It is said that in the [[Fourth Age]] [[Durin VII]] led the Dwarves back to Moria.<ref>{{App|Durin}}</ref>
 
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The Misty Mountain range as the Fellowship tries to cross the pass of [[Caradhras]].
:The Misty Mountain range as the Fellowship tries to cross the pass of [[Caradhras]].


'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Misty Mountains appear as both a major game region and within other game areas. The region of "Misty Mountains" consists of the part of the mountain range adjacent to Rivendell Valley, including both [[High Pass]] and [[Goblin-town]]. The mountain range in a broader sense can also be accessed from other in-game regions, including the pass Caradhras in [[Eregion]], former settlement of Dwarves under [[Thror]] in eastern [[Enedwaith]], a village on the slopes of mount [[Methedras]] in [[Dunland]], the cliffs of [[Zirakzigil]] in Moria and the eastern slopes of the Mountains in [[Lothlorien]].
:Misty Mountains appear as both a major game region and within other game areas. The region of "Misty Mountains" consists of the part of the mountain range adjacent to Rivendell Valley, including both [[High Pass]] and [[Goblin-town]]. The mountain range in a broader sense can also be accessed from other in-game regions, including the pass Caradhras in [[Eregion]], former settlement of Dwarves under [[Thrór]] in eastern [[Enedwaith]], a village on the slopes of mount [[Methedras]] in [[Dunland]], the cliffs of [[Zirakzigil]] in Moria and the eastern slopes of the Mountains in [[Lothlórien]].
 
== "Misty Mountains" Outside of Tolkien ==
* [[Led Zeppelin]] recorded a song, "[[Misty Mountain Hop]]", which seems to have borrowed the name but little else from Tolkien. Several other Led Zeppelin songs contain Tolkien references.
* Robert Jordan's fantasy series ''The Wheel of Time'' also features a mountain range called the ''Mountains of Mist''.


==Notes==
{{references|notes}}
<references group="note"/>
==References==
* ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Over Hill and Under Hill]]
* ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire]]
* ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire]]
* ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Riddles in the Dark]]
* ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Riddles in the Dark]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Many Meetings]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Many Meetings]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[The Council of Elrond]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[The Ring goes South]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[A Journey in the Dark]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[A Journey in the Dark]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Lothlórien (chapter)|Lothlórien]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Lothlórien (chapter)|Lothlórien]]
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]]
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix B]]
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix B]]
* ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan]]
* ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan]]

Revision as of 11:22, 26 May 2018

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Misty Mountains
Mountain range
J.R.R. Tolkien - The Misty Mountains looking West from the Eyrie towards Goblin Gate.jpg
"The Misty Mountains looking West from the Eyrie towards Goblin Gate" by J.R.R. Tolkien
General Information
Other namesHithaeglir (S)
The Mountains of Mist
Towers of Mist
LocationBetween Eriador and Wilderland
TypeMountain range
People and History
InhabitantsDwarves of Durin's folk, Orcs, Trolls, Giants, Eagles
CreatedYears of the Trees
EventsThe Great Journey of the Elves, awakening of Durin I, awakening of the Balrog, dominion of the Orcs, War of the Dwarves and Orcs
GalleryImages of the Misty Mountains

The Misty Mountains, Mountains of Mist or Towers of Mist[1] (Hithaeglir in Sindarin[note 1] as a plural) was a great mountain range that lay between Eriador in the west and the Great River Anduin in the east.

Geographic Features

In the far north, the Misty Mountains formed a T with the Grey Mountains and the Mountains of Angmar.[2] They ran 795 miles (1,280 kilometres)[source?] to the Gap of Rohan in the south, where they approached vertically the White Mountains. The Gap was a passable valley between the southernmost peak of the Misty Mountains and the northernmost of the White.[note 2]

The lands around the Misty Mountains included several forests, rivers and other populated areas. Such realms under the Mountains had been Angmar, Eregion, Dunland, Lothlórien, Fangorn and others.[2] While Elves guarded both sides of the Misty Mountains, few ever crossed them.

Important Peaks

The northernmost peak of the Misty Mountains can be considered Mount Gundabad,[2] where according to legend, Durin, eldest of the seven Fathers of the Dwarves, awoke. Later it became a haven for Orcs.

The greatest Dwarven realm in Middle-Earth, Khazad-dûm, was located at the midpoint of the Misty Mountains. The city was built under three peaks, the Mountains of Moria: Redhorn (Caradhras in Sindarin), Silvertine (Celebdil) and Cloudyhead (Fanuidhol).[3] Inside Silvertine the Dwarves built the Endless Stair, a stairway from the foundations of the mountain to its peak.

The southernmost mountain was Methedras (Sindarin for "Last Peak").[2]

Passes

"The Pass of Caradhras" by Alan Lee

The most important passes were the High Pass and the Redhorn Pass. There was also a pass at the source of the Gladden River.[3]

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.[1]

It is said that ancient bears lived in the Mountains until Giants arrived and the bears left to the lowlands.[4]

The great Dwarven city of Khazad-dûm (later called the "Black Pit" of Moria) was located near the middle of the mountain chain. There Durin's folk lived for thousands of years with a kingdom which spread as far as Gundabad and as far east as the Iron Hills.

At the southern tip of the Misty Mountains, beneath Methedras, was Isengard, which was originally a Gondorian fortress but was later given to Saruman.

Around 1050, the Harfoots migrated west across the Misty Mountains, fleeing the ever more numerous Men and the Shadow growing in Mirkwood, thus the Hobbits entered history. Later the other two groups of Hobbits, the Stoors and Fallohides, migrated west as well, until by 2500 no Hobbits could be found east of the mountains.

When the Dwarves were strong, the mountains were generally free of Orcs, but when the Shadow was strong, Orcs bred in Mount Gundabad, in Goblin-town, later in Moria itself, and everywhere in between. In T.A. 1300 the Orcs of the Misty Mountains started increasing and harassing the Dwarves.[5]

The awakening of Durin's Bane drove the Dwarves from their city. It also seems that some Dwarves, either before or after the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, dwelt on the eastern side of the mountains near Goblin-town.

In T.A. 2480 the Orcs began establishing secret strongholds in the Mountains barring all the passes to Eriador from Rhovanion, while Sauron populated Moria with his creatures.[5]

Near the east exit of Goblin-town the Eagles kept an eyrie to keep watch on the Orcs.[6][7]

Gandalf believed that it was the Orcs of the Misty Mountains that had driven the people of Beorn away, and he promised to return there.[4]

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.[8]

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.[6]

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.[9]

It is said that in the Fourth Age Durin VII led the Dwarves back to Moria.[10]

Portrayal in adaptations

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

The Misty Mountain range as the Fellowship tries to cross the pass of Caradhras.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Misty Mountains appear as both a major game region and within other game areas. The region of "Misty Mountains" consists of the part of the mountain range adjacent to Rivendell Valley, including both High Pass and Goblin-town. The mountain range in a broader sense can also be accessed from other in-game regions, including the pass Caradhras in Eregion, former settlement of Dwarves under Thrór in eastern Enedwaith, a village on the slopes of mount Methedras in Dunland, the cliffs of Zirakzigil in Moria and the eastern slopes of the Mountains in Lothlórien.

Notes

  1. The Hithaeglir were misspelled as "Hithaiglin" on the original Lord of the Rings map.
  2. Karen Wynn Fonstad estimates in the The Atlas of Middle-earth that some of the peaks may have been as high as 12,000 feet (3,660 meters), comparable to the Alps in Europe. Tolkien had visited the Alps in his youth and was greatly impressed by them.

References