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{{cleanup|This has been over subdivided, I think}}{{footnotes}}
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{{location infobox
{{location infobox
| name=Misty Mountains
| name=Misty Mountains
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| caption="The Misty Mountains looking West from the Eyrie towards Goblin Gate" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| caption="The Misty Mountains looking West from the Eyrie towards Goblin Gate" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| pronun=
| pronun=
| othernames=''Hithaeglir'' ([[Sindarin|S]])</br>The Mountains of Mist</br>Towers of Mist
| othernames=''Hithaeglir'' ([[Sindarin|S]])</br>The Mountains of Mist</br>Towers of Mist<br>Line of Misty Peaks
| location=Between [[Eriador]] and  [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]]
| location=Between [[Eriador]] and  [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]]
| type=Mountain range
| type=Mountain range
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| regions=
| regions=
| towns=[[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], numerous [[Orc-holds]] including [[Goblin-town]]
| towns=[[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], numerous [[Orc-holds]] including [[Goblin-town]]
| inhabitants=[[Dwarves]] of [[Durin's folk]], [[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], [[Giants]], [[Eagles]]
| inhabitants=[[Dwarves]]</br>[[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Orcs ]]</br>[[Trolls]]</br>[[Giants]]</br>[[Eagles]]
| created=[[Years of the Trees]]
| created=[[Years of the Trees]]
| destroyed=
| destroyed=
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| gallery=the Misty Mountains
| 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.  
<center>{{quote|Far over the misty mountains cold<br>To dungeons deep and caverns old<br>We must away ere break of day<br>To seek the pale enchanted gold.|''[[Far over the misty mountains cold]]'' by [[Thorin and Company]]}}</center>
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; translated also '''Line of Misty Peaks'''<ref>{{S|Index}} s.v. ''Hithaeglir''</ref>) was a great mountain range that lay between [[Eriador]] in the west and the Great River [[Anduin]] in the east.  


== Geographic Features ==
==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 850 miles (1,368 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>
In the far north, the Misty Mountains met the [[Grey Mountains]] and the [[Mountains of Angmar]], forming a '''T'''; The Mountains of Angmar comprising the western "arm", the Grey Mountains the Eastern "arm", and the Misty Mountains the stem.<ref name=map/> They ran 900 miles (1,448 kilometres)<ref>[[Karen Wynn Fonstad]], ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', Regional maps, "The Misty Mountains"</ref> to the [[Gap of Rohan]] in the south, where they approached the [[White Mountains]]. The Gap was a valley between the southernmost peak of the Misty Mountains and the northernmost of the White Mountains, creating an important pass.<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>


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 lands around the Misty Mountains included several notable forests, rivers and kingdoms, such as [[Angmar]], [[Eregion]], [[Dunland]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Fangorn]].<ref name=map/> While Elves guarded both sides of the Misty Mountains, few ever crossed over them.


=== Important Peaks ===
===Important peaks===
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]] other mountains of note include [[Mt Gram]] which was an [[Orc-holds|haven for Orcs]] ruled up until the 2747 of the third age by [[Golfimbul]], notable for leading and orc raid in [[Eriador]] and was slain  by Bandobras ''Bullroarer'' Took in the battle of Greenfeilds. <ref [{H}] page 27/>
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, [[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.  
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, called 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 depths of the mountain to its peak.  


The southernmost mountain was [[Methedras]] (Sindarin for "Last Peak").<ref name=map>{{FR|Map}}</ref>
The southernmost mountain was [[Methedras]], which was  Sindarin for "Last Peak".<ref name=map>{{FR|Map}}</ref>


=== Passes===
===Passes===
[[Image:Alan Lee - The Pass of Caradhras.jpg|thumb|250px|"The Pass of Caradhras" by [[Alan Lee]]]]
[[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/>
The most important passes were the [[High Pass]] and the [[Redhorn Pass]]. The former was used by [[Bilbo Baggins]] on his way to [[Erebor]], and the latter was used by [[Frodo]], in an attempt to pass over the mountains. There was also a pass at the source of the [[Gladden River]].<ref name=south/>


== History ==
==History==
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]].<ref name=s3>{{S|Captivity}}</ref><ref>{{AA|60-2}}, pp. 82-83</ref>


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>
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>
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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>
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>


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 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 {{TA|2480}} the Orcs begun establishing secret strongholds in the Mountains barring all the passes to [[Eriador]] from [[Rhovanion]], while Sauron populated Moria with his creatures.<ref name=b2/>
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/>


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>  
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>  
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==Portrayal in adaptations==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1966: [[The Hobbit (1966 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1966 film)]]:'''
:The Misty Mountains are renamed the Barricade Mountains, and encircle Mirkwood, which in turn encircles Dale and the Lonely Mountain.
'''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 Fellowship decides to take the [[Caradhras|Pass of Caradhras]] over the Misty Mountains after learning that the passage South was being watched. A blizzard caused by Saruman forces the Company to go under the Mountains, through [[Moria]].


'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
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{{references|notes}}
{{references|notes}}
* ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire]]
* ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Riddles in the Dark]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Many Meetings]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[A Journey in the Dark]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Lothlórien (chapter)|Lothlórien]]
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix B]]
* ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan]]
* ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of Aulë and Yavanna]]
* ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor]]
* [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]], ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]''


[[Category:Misty Mountains| ]]
[[Category:Misty Mountains]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges]]



Revision as of 15:09, 24 April 2021

"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.
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
Line of Misty Peaks
LocationBetween Eriador and Wilderland
TypeMountain range
People and History
InhabitantsDwarves
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
"Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.
"
Far over the misty mountains cold by Thorin and Company

The Misty Mountains, Mountains of Mist or Towers of Mist[1] (Hithaeglir in Sindarin[note 1] as a plural; translated also Line of Misty Peaks[2]) 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 met the Grey Mountains and the Mountains of Angmar, forming a T; The Mountains of Angmar comprising the western "arm", the Grey Mountains the Eastern "arm", and the Misty Mountains the stem.[3] They ran 900 miles (1,448 kilometres)[4] to the Gap of Rohan in the south, where they approached the White Mountains. The Gap was a valley between the southernmost peak of the Misty Mountains and the northernmost of the White Mountains, creating an important pass.[note 2]

The lands around the Misty Mountains included several notable forests, rivers and kingdoms, such as Angmar, Eregion, Dunland, Lothlórien, Fangorn.[3] While Elves guarded both sides of the Misty Mountains, few ever crossed over them.

Important peaks

The northernmost peak of the Misty Mountains can be considered Mount Gundabad,[3] 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, called the Mountains of Moria: Redhorn (Caradhras in Sindarin), Silvertine (Celebdil) and Cloudyhead (Fanuidhol).[5] Inside Silvertine the Dwarves built the Endless Stair, a stairway from the depths of the mountain to its peak.

The southernmost mountain was Methedras, which was Sindarin for "Last Peak".[3]

Passes

The Pass of Caradhras by Alan Lee

The most important passes were the High Pass and the Redhorn Pass. The former was used by Bilbo Baggins on his way to Erebor, and the latter was used by Frodo, in an attempt to pass over the mountains. There was also a pass at the source of the Gladden River.[5]

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][6]

It is said that ancient bears lived in the Mountains until Giants arrived and the bears left to the lowlands.[7]

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.[8]

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.[8]

Near the east exit of Goblin-town the Eagles kept an eyrie to keep watch on the Orcs.[9][10]

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.[7]

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.[11]

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.[9]

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.[12]

It is said that in the Fourth Age Durin VII led the Dwarves back to Moria.[13]

Portrayal in adaptations

1966: The Hobbit (1966 film):

The Misty Mountains are renamed the Barricade Mountains, and encircle Mirkwood, which in turn encircles Dale and the Lonely Mountain.

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

The Fellowship decides to take the Pass of Caradhras over the Misty Mountains after learning that the passage South was being watched. A blizzard caused by Saruman forces the Company to go under the Mountains, through Moria.

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