Caradhras

From Tolkien Gateway
The Fellowship of the Ring at the Redhorn Gate as depicted by Ted Nasmith.
Caradhras
Physical Description
Locationabove Khazad-dûm, between Celebdil and Fanuidhol, on the border between Eriador and Rhovanion
Belongs tothe Misty Mountains
General Information
Other namesRedhorn (Westron), Baraz(inbar) (Khuzdul)
EtymologyCaradhras: caran - red, ras - horn
Barazinbar: baraz - red, inbar - horn
Eventscapture of Celebrían, wife of Elrond; attempt of Fellowship of the Ring to cross Misty Mountains
GalleryImages of Caradhras
"Caradhras was called the Cruel, and had an ill name long years ago, when rumour of Sauron had not been heard in these lands."
Gimli[1]

Caradhras (S, pron. [kaˈraðras]) was one of the mightiest peaks in the Misty Mountains.

The Mountain

Tom Cross - Caradhras

Caradhras was the tallest and northernmost of the Mountains of Moria, the three mountains which the great Dwarf city of Khazad-dûm was built under. The other two were Celebdil (Silvertine) and Fanuidhol (Cloudyhead). Caradhras was described as "mighty peak, tipped with snow like silver, but with sheer naked sides". In the light of the rising or setting sun it appeared "dull red as if stained with blood".

Caradhras was called the Cruel by the Dwarves and had long had a bad reputation.[1] It was the site in Middle-earth where mithril was found and where Dwarves woke Durin's Bane, the Balrog of Moria.[2]

The Redhorn Gate

The Redhorn Gate (also called the Redhorn Pass) was a narrow and dangerous pass through the Misty Mountains that led from the wilds of Eriador through to Rhovanion beyond. Sheer and steep, it climbed across the southern slopes of Caradhras and led down into the Dimrill Dale and hence the Vale of Anduin beyond the Mountains.[1]

The Pass was traversed by the Stoors migrating from the Vales of Anduin into Eriador, from where they headed to the Angle and Dunland (c. T.A. 1150).[3]

The Redhorn Gate was known to be treacherous. It was on this pass in T.A. 2509 that Celebrían, the wife of Elrond, was captured by Orcs of the Misty Mountains.[4]

After the fall of Khazad-dûm, this pass was predominantly used by elves travelling between Lothlórien and Eriador. On 11 January - 12, T.A. 3019, the Fellowship of the Ring attempted to cross the Misty Mountains by the Redhorn Gate.[5] They came into a fierce blizzard and could not go any further due to the deep snow. So they were defeated by the ill will of the mountain and were forced to cross under the Misty Mountains through the Mines of Moria.[1]

Etymology

The name is Sindarin and means Redhorn. It is composed of caran "red" and ras "horn". As a compound, the contact of n next to r presents a phenomenon similar to prestanneth: Caran-ras is assimilated to Caradhras.

Barazinbar (or also Baraz) is the literal Khuzdul translation of "Redhorn".

Portrayal in adaptations

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

The violent snowstorms on the mountain are seen to have been caused by Saruman and not the mountain itself. In his spell, Saruman mentions the neo-Quenya name of Caradhras as Carnirassë.[6]

2009: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Pass of Caradhras, as well as the Redhorn Gate are featured in the region of Eregion. The snowstorms are very strong in this area, and an avalanche prevents further travel to the lands of the east.

References

Route of the Fellowship of the Ring
Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Rohan · Edoras · Hornburg · Isengard · Dunharrow · Paths of the Dead · Gondor · Hill of Erech · Lamedon · Linhir · Lebennin · Pelargir · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Boromir
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen
Frodo and Sam
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Emyn Muil · Dead Marshes · Black Gate · Ithilien · Henneth Annûn · Cross-roads · Morgul Vale · Stairs of Cirith Ungol · Cirith Ungol · Shelob's Lair · Tower of Cirith Ungol · Mordor · Morgai · Plateau of Gorgoroth · Mount Doom · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Gandalf
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Celebdil† · Lothlórien · Fangorn Forest · Edoras · Hornburg · Isengard · Rohan · Anórien · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Merry
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Emyn Muil · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Wellinghall · Derndingle · Isengard · Hornburg · Dunharrow · Drúadan Forest · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Pippin
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Amon Hen · Parth Galen · Emyn Muil · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Wellinghall · Derndingle · Isengard · Rohan · Anórien · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Gondor · Cair Andros · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard