Yellow Mountains

Mountain range
Yellow Mountains
General Information
Location	South-east of Middle-earth
Type	Mountain range

The Yellow Mountains were a range of mountains to the south-east of Middle-earth within the Southlands, a southern continuation of the Red Mountains. Both ranges were created when the Valar thrust the centre of Middle-earth to the east as extra protection for Valinor.

In the Ambarkanta maps, the Yellow Mountains are not shown on Map V, labelled "After the War of the Gods".

Portrayal in adaptations

1989: Middle-earth Role Playing—Shadow in the South

The Yellow Mountains (Q. Orolanari, S. Ered Laranor) were volcanic mountains with black and yellow landforms. They were said to rise to heights of up to 10,000 feet. When Ormal fell, the mountains were swept to the south and east, forming the spine of the utter South.

The mountains' caverns and caves were home to the Mablâd, local Dwarves who named themselves after the earth's steam (Mabûl). They guarded the wealth of the mountains: silver, laen, and eog.

There were five notable passes through the Yellow Mountains:

1. The Elornan Cut, which was the safe northernmost pass, located near the headwaters of the river Sireshan.
2. The Pel Stairs, a fog-covered defile prone to rockfalls, situated between Mirëdor and Pel.
3. Trenth Walk, also known as the Pass of Ages, which was a safe hewn trail between Alsarias and Trenth, passing along the Mablâd stronghold Blackfame. Passage required a toll to be paid.
4. Cirith Celiant (S. “Silverbridge Pass”, Pel Fâdaraja Cupita) which followed the river Celiant.
5. The Aeluin Crossing, the southernmost route, which actually cut between the mountains and high foothills.