Caradhras

Caradhras stands on the eastern side of Eregion, the first of three peaks that mark where Khazad-dûm lies under the range. Celebdil and Fanuidhol are its neighbors, and the Redhorn Gate, the pass carrying the old dwarf-road from Eregion to the Dimrill Dale, runs beneath its flank. From the east the Dimrill Stair climbs to it.

The name means red horn, from the reddish stone of its slopes, and the Dwarvish Barazinbar means the same. Travelers gave it a bad reputation long before the War of the Ring. It was on this pass in TA 2509 that Celebrían, wife of Elrond, was waylaid by orcs and taken, wounded with a poisoned blade, and after her rescue she left Middle-earth.

The Fellowship tried the Redhorn Gate on the night of 11 January TA 3019. Snow fell heavily on the party though the sky elsewhere was clear, stones came down off the cliffs, and voices seemed to move in the wind. Boromir and Aragorn broke a path back down through the drifts carrying the hobbits.

Gandalf would not say whether the storm came from Sauron, from Saruman, or from Caradhras itself, but Gimli said flatly that the mountain was cruel and needed no help. The failure sent the company to the Doors of Durin instead.

Events at this place

1. TA 2509 · Appendices

   Celebrían waylaid in the Redhorn Pass

   Orcs ambushed Elrond's wife crossing the pass. She was rescued by her sons but took a poisoned wound and sailed west the next year.

2. TA 3019, January 12 · The Lord of the Rings

   The Fellowship driven off the pass

   Deep snow and falling stone stopped the company below the summit on 11 January, forcing the decision to enter Moria.

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