Anach

From Tolkien Gateway
Pass of Anach
Valley
General Information
Other namesAnach
LocationBetween Ered Gorgoroth and the Crissaegrim
TypeValley
Description"hard and dangerous road"
InhabitantsOrcs of Morgoth, foul unknown beasts

The Pass of Anach (from an = "long") was a long and narrow pass that ran down out of the highlands of Dorthonion, cutting south-west between the near-impassable mountains of the Crissaegrim and Ered Gorgoroth. Towards its southern end, where it opened into the land of Dimbar, were the springs of the River Mindeb.[1]

In the later years of the First Age, Dorthonion fell under Morgoth's control, and with it the Pass of Anach. His Orcs began to use it as a way down from the highlands, building a road through the valley to reach and harass the lands beyond.[2] Ultimately they succeeded in conquering not only Dimbar, but also the regions to the east that ran along the borders of Doriath.

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