So why did 🧙Gandalf take the Fellowship thru Moria???

[Ithrynluin]

Well, You know that Saruman created an avalanch of heavey snow,

Be sure to keep in mind the distinction between the books and movie stuff. Saruman may have been the one who caused the avalanche in the film, but in the books it is ascribed to the ill-will of the mountain Caradhras itself.

 

[Miss Rainbow]

Gandalf towards Pippin, and maybe Merry too

I think we need to consider Sting's range more closely than Aragorns supposition that Sting was detecting orcs on the East Bank. Aragorn may well have been wrong: Ugluk and his ill-led, ill-fated crew were wandering around nearby I recall. Its not clear how far, but could be just a couple of miles I think.

Anyone volunteers to post in detail on this? There's got to be a stack of examples...

On orc-snozzles...

The range of an orc nose may well vary. From the tracker mentioned in Mordor, you get the impression that he was a specialist, possibly with a genetically engineered nose. However, the Moria orcs will be well-used to a lack of light and would therefore have other senses that are more well-developed. There is little to suggest that orcs smoke, but given dwarves are keen on it they would be familiar with the smell from Balin and co. As an unusual smell for Moria, it would be readily detectable. Had the air within Moria been wholly still, diffusion would be limited. But the cunning dwarven ventilation amplifies the dangerous nature of Gandalf's fix. Although the smell would remain strong at the scene of his misdeed for some days, traces of it would rapidly travel some distance. Perhaps Gandalf's harsh reaction to Pippin is really an expression of the guilt he is himself feeling, for his own reckless behaviour?

I wanted to blame Gandalf's act for putting Gollum onto their trail. Unfortunately Gollum is already following them at that point, so it doesn't work.

You know, I really don't like Gandalf's "harsh" reaction towards Pippin and maybe Merry to; you know by the doors of Moria, and then in the mine when he tells Pippin to throw himself in next time to rid them of his stupidity.

 

[Ithrynluin]

You know, I really don't like Gandalf's "harsh" reaction towards Pippin and maybe Merry to; you know by the doors of Moria, and then in the mine when he tells Pippin to throw himself in next time to rid them of his stupidity.

Gandalf reprimanding Pippin may not have sounded nice, but don't you think it was quite justified and understandable? After all, they were on a mission of utmost importance, and even the smallest mistake may have cost the Fellowship their lives and their quest!