White Mountains (Middle-earth)

The White Mountains form the northern boundary of Gondor and the southern boundary of Rohan.

The range lay mostly from east to west, but also had a northern section, which was seperated from the main line of the Misty Mountains (or Hithaeglir) by the Gap of Rohan.

Even at the southern latitude of Gondor and Rohan, the White Mountains still had snow even in summer, suggesting they were extremely high. The range had no passes, except for the Paths of the Dead, which passed through it.

Notable peaks were the Irensaga (Iron Saw) and Starkhorn. Between these two lay the Dwimorberg, entrance to the Paths of the Dead. At the eastern end, the city of Minas Tirith was carved into the mountain Mindolluin.

The Warning beacons of Gondor were placed on top of seven peaks in the range: Amon Dîn, Eilenach, Nardol, Erelas, Min-Rimmon, Calenhad and Halifirien.

Several rivers started in the White Mountains, amongs them the river Adorn (a tributary of Isen), the Snowbourn and Mering Stream (tributaries of the Entwash), and, on the south side, the river Erui, a tributary of Anduin, the rivers Ringló and its tributary Ciril which together with the river Morthond all entered the Bay of Belfalas at Edhellond near Dol Amroth, the river Lefnui of the Anfalas, and the Five Rivers of Lebennin.

In the Second Age the White Mountains were populated by a people related to the Dunlendings, who had been servants of Sauron. They swore allegiance to Isildur but betrayed him, and were cursed: these Men became known as the Dead, of the Paths Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and the rangers later took. Before these Men, the White Mountains had been home to the Púkel-Men or Drúedain.

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