Misty Mountains

The Misty Mountains is one of the most famous landmarks in JRR Tolkien's Middle-earth. The mountain range is also known as Hithaeglir, Ered Hithui, Towers of Mist, and the Mountains of Mist. It was said that the Misty Mountains were inspired by the Swiss Alps. Its first mention in Tolkien's works was in The Hobbit.

Location

The Misty Mountains is located north of Mathedras and can be found in the area between the Rhovanion and Anduin vales and Eriador.

Geography

The peaks of the Misty Mountains were known as Methedras, Celebdil, Mount Gundabad, Caradhras, and Fanuidhol. Mount Gundabad is the peak in the north. This is where the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves, particularly the eldest, Durin, woke up. Despite it being an important landmark for the history of the dwarves, Mount Gundabad ended up being a fortress and abode for the Orcs. Khazad-dûm, more known as Moira, was one of the greatest Dwarf kingdoms in Middle-earth and this realm is located in Misty Mountains' midpoint. The realm is very vast and wide, and it included three summits of Misty Mountain, namely Celebdil (later known as Silvertine), Caradhras (later known as Redhorn), and Fanuidhol (later known as Cloudyhead). In Celebdil, you can find the Endless Stair. The famed staircase created by the Dwarves started from the base of the mountain and ended at the top of the peak. Aside from Khazad-dûm, there were other regions under the Misty Mountains, which included Fangorn, Lothlórien, Angmar, Eregion, and Dunland. Significant towns in the Misty Mountains aside from Khazad-dûm included Carn Dûm. There are also several Orc-holds, such as Gundabad and Goblin-town.

Routes

The Redhorn Pass and the High Pass were the best routes to go through the Misty Mountains. The High Pass was near Rivendell. The Redhorn Pass was near Moria. There is a valley between Misty Mountains' southernmost peaks and the White Mountains' northern peaks. This was identified as the Gap of Rohan. There is also a pass between the Misty Mountains and the western side of the Grey Mountains that can be used.

Inhabitants

The Misty Mountains had different races inhabiting the area. You can find Orcs, Dwarves, Trolls, Elves, and Stone Giants scattered across the Mountain Range. Goblin Town is the area where Bilbo Baggins got his hands on the One Ring. At that time, the One Ring belonged to Gollum, who was living on the east side of Goblin Town. You can find the Elves at the west side of the High Pass, where Rivendell hides in the base of the Misty Mountains. In the Third Age, the Witch-King of Angmar took over Carn Dûm, where he dominated for centuries. The area can be found on the extreme northern side of the Misty Mountains, and the area was known to be the Mountains of Angmar. The biggest Goblin territory in the Misty Mountains is Mount Gundabad. This was located on the southeast side of the Mountains of Angmar. Nan Curunír is the vale between the arms of Methedras, which is located south of the Misty Mountains. There, you can find Isengard in the center of Orthanc. With the vast range of races occupying the mountain range, the spoken language in the area included Khuzdul, Black Speech, Orkish, Westron, and Sindarin.

History

Years of the Trees

The Misty Mountains were founded during the Years of the Trees. It was created by Vala Melkor to be a barrier for Oromë, who rode across Middle-earth to hunt. Back then, the mountain range had an intimidating appearance and was taller. Oromë built the High Pass to help the Elves cross through the mountain while they were on the Great Journey to Valinor. Seeing how tall the mountain was and intimidated by the unfamiliar and eerie territory, the Elves gave up on their migration. Instead, they headed southwards where the Great River can be found.

First Age

Under-Mount Gundabad, the Dwarves of Durin woke up and created the caves of Khazad-dûm. They used the High Pass, which connected Mirkwood to the Great East Road. They later had to abandon Thousands of years had passed before the Ñoldor came back to Middle-earth. Upon their arrival, they founded Beleriand in the mountains. However, they did not bother going to the mountains, so they did not cross paths with the kingdoms in the Misty Mountains. The tribes of Men crossed the Misty Mountains during the First Age, and it was then that they migrated to Beleriand. Those who migrated were the Edain, and they were later followed by the Swarthy Men of Easterlings.

Second Age

With the defeat of Morgoth, his orcs who survived the war, sought refuge in the Misty Mountains. There, they remained to be a problem for over 6,000 years. The Easterlings, who fought by Morgoth's side, also began to move east of the Wilderland. The Great Eagles also found their home in the Misty Mountains and called their realm as the Eagles Eyrie. The Dwarves of Khazad-dûm were able to establish a good relationship with the Ñoldor, who were in Eregion. It is because of this alliance that the Dwarven realm under the Misty Mountains was able to thrive. However, Sauron invaded Eriador and the rest of the areas in the east, which included Eregion. The fall of Eregion caused the Dwarves to close the Doors of Durin. In the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, the army of Elendil and Gil-Galad crossed the Misty Mountains through the High Pass. It was during this war that Isildur was killed by the Orcs, who were guarding the pass on their way back home.

Third Age

Around 1980 TA, the Dwarves found a Balrog lurking in Khazad-dûm. The presence of the creature caused the Dwarves to desert Khazad-dûm to move somewhere safer. After leaving Khazad-dûm, the area became known as Moira, which meant "black chasm" due to it being an abandoned and dangerous place. With the absence of the Dwarves, the Goblins took over Moira, and this encouraged other creatures to live there. Slowly, the Misty Mountains turned into a dangerous place for anyone who wanted to cross it. The Witch-King started the foundations of his realm at Carn Dûm.

During his reign, the Orcs spread out all over the Misty Mountains, which made the High Pass a dangerous route. It was only after the War of the Dwarves and Orcs that it became safe for travelers to go through the High Pass again. A thousand years later, Thorin and Company used the High Pass of Misty Mountains to get to the Lonely Mountain. While they were in the Misty Mountains, they were captured by the Goblins. This was the time when Gandalf killed the Great Goblin. The Fellowship of the Ring also crossed the Misty Mountains. The High Pass that led to Rhovanion was being watched by the enemy.

The gap of Rohan was also too close to Isengard. So, the Fellowship of the Ring decided to use the Redhorn Pass. However, a blizzard forced them to go under the mountain instead. There, they faced the Balrog that caused the desertion of Khazad-dûm. The Balrog was killed by Gandalf when he cast it down from Zirakzigil. However, Gandalf's fight with the Balrog had taken a toll on his life, so he just laid there until Gwaihir came and carried him to Lothlorien.

Adaptations

Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold

Tolkien writes a song about the Misty Mountains in his novel, The Hobbit. It is first sung by the Dwarves in the assembly in Bag End. Tolkien did not leave a title for the song, so it was referred to also as Thorin's Song, The Song of the Lonely Mountain, The Misty Mountains, and The Dwarf Song. Far Over the Misty Mountains, Cold was the most popular, and it is also the first line of the song. In the song, Tolkien explains the adventure that Thorin and Company will encounter in the Misty Mountains and also touches on the history of Thorin and the Dwarves.

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin [1] had a song, the Misty Mountain Hop [2]. The band is quite well-known for many songs with Tolkien references.

Saturn

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) started naming all the mountains on Titan [3], the largest moon of the planet Saturn [4], after the mountains in Tolkien's books. A mountain range in Titan was named the "Misty Montes" [5] in 2012.​