Questions - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Elendur · 02-18-2002, 03:55 AM

Why, when the Fellowship set out from Rivendell, did they never consider the High Pass to get past the Misty Mountains. If you think about it, I think it would be the safest way to go. You cant go through the Gap of Rohan because of Saruman. You cant go into Moria for obvious reasons. The Redhorn Gate obviously would be known as an evil place because of Caradhras. I know they never expected snow on the Caradhras, but they had to have known that it would be able to stop them, right?

So why not take the road that is farthest away from Saruman and has the Beornings on the other side to help you? They might have encountered goblins, but I doubt because they would likely be inside their caves because of the bad weather. They could have just passed the High Pass and then traveled south to Lorien over the Gladden River and through the Gladden Feilds (even though I think it would be a little marshy). Or they could have risked a speedier crossing by hugging the Anduin on the east side and heading South towards Lorien.

My point is the High Pass, even though more costly in time, would have been a much safer choice. So why not take it.

P.S. You may be thinking the weather would be very bad in the High Pass, but wasn't it also very bad in The Hobbit? The company seemed to do fine then. Atleast the weather wouldn't be aimed at them like at Caradhras.

P.P.S. What exactly is Caradhras? Is it ever explained as more than a living mountain that seems to be evil?

***Sharkû*** · 02-18-2002, 10:35 AM

Actually, in the Underground thread, I came to wonder the same thing.

First of all, it was the longest road. And by the time they set out, the Gap of Rohan was still within the spectrum of possibilities.
What spoke against the High Pass was mainly also what spoke against the route from the Carrock southward, namely what lay on or near the way: the Gladden Fields, that were probably still in the grasp of Isengard or Mordor, which searched there all the time just recently; wide open and clearly visible lands to the East held by Mordor; and, not least, Dol Guldur, to which the Fellowship did wisely not to expose itself too long.

Elven-Maiden · 02-18-2002, 07:22 PM

I think that at that point, the quest to destrooy the Ring was too urgent to spend on detours. Gandalf had also planned to visit Galadriel in Lorien. To take the longer route, they'd miss it completely.

Besides, think of the boring story that would have made! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Aralaithiel · 02-18-2002, 07:28 PM

Yeah, and they had to have that balrog encounter! Plus, it's really cool the way we Elves walk on top of snow!
But, I do think that the Gap of Rohan would have taken way too long.

02-18-2002, 03:55 AM	#1
Elendur Wight Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Arnor Posts: 200	Questions Why, when the Fellowship set out from Rivendell, did they never consider the High Pass to get past the Misty Mountains. If you think about it, I think it would be the safest way to go. You cant go through the Gap of Rohan because of Saruman. You cant go into Moria for obvious reasons. The Redhorn Gate obviously would be known as an evil place because of Caradhras. I know they never expected snow on the Caradhras, but they had to have known that it would be able to stop them, right? So why not take the road that is farthest away from Saruman and has the Beornings on the other side to help you? They might have encountered goblins, but I doubt because they would likely be inside their caves because of the bad weather. They could have just passed the High Pass and then traveled south to Lorien over the Gladden River and through the Gladden Feilds (even though I think it would be a little marshy). Or they could have risked a speedier crossing by hugging the Anduin on the east side and heading South towards Lorien. My point is the High Pass, even though more costly in time, would have been a much safer choice. So why not take it. P.S. You may be thinking the weather would be very bad in the High Pass, but wasn't it also very bad in The Hobbit? The company seemed to do fine then. Atleast the weather wouldn't be aimed at them like at Caradhras. P.P.S. What exactly is Caradhras? Is it ever explained as more than a living mountain that seems to be evil? __________________ Son of Isildur.

02-18-2002, 07:22 PM	#3
Elven-Maiden Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 297	I think that at that point, the quest to destrooy the Ring was too urgent to spend on detours. Gandalf had also planned to visit Galadriel in Lorien. To take the longer route, they'd miss it completely. Besides, think of the boring story that would have made! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ Tout ce qui est or ne brille pas, Tous ceux qui errent ne sont pas perdus. Mobilis in Mobile

02-18-2002, 07:28 PM	#4
Aralaithiel Ghost Eldaran Queen Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: A remote mountain in Valinor Posts: 353	Yeah, and they had to have that balrog encounter! Plus, it's really cool the way we Elves walk on top of snow! But, I do think that the Gap of Rohan would have taken way too long. __________________ A lelyat, wen! (Quenya Elvish for "You go, girl!"

02-18-2002, 10:35 AM	#2
*Sharkû* Hungry Ghoul Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 1,719	Actually, in the Underground thread, I came to wonder the same thing. First of all, it was the longest road. And by the time they set out, the Gap of Rohan was still within the spectrum of possibilities. What spoke against the High Pass was mainly also what spoke against the route from the Carrock southward, namely what lay on or near the way: the Gladden Fields, that were probably still in the grasp of Isengard or Mordor, which searched there all the time just recently; wide open and clearly visible lands to the East held by Mordor; and, not least, Dol Guldur, to which the Fellowship did wisely not to expose itself too long.