The Route of the Ring

[CSteefel]

The Wise certainly knew there was some "problem" in Moria, as did the Dwarves. I don't recall if there were any survivors when Durin VI was slain by a Balrog in 1980 of the 3rd Age, but they refer to threat simply as "Durin's Bane", rather than mentioning a Balrog specifically. And in the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, Dain Ironfoot ventured inside the Gates of Moria after slaying Azog, it was said that:

Yet hardy and full of wrath as he was, it is said that when he came down from the Gate he looked grey in the face, as one who has felt great fear.

And then,

But we will not enter Khazad-dum. You will not enter Khazad-dum. Only I have looked through the shadow of the Gate. Beyond the shadow it waits for you still: Durin's Bane. The world must change and some other power than ours must come before Durin's Folk walk again in Moria.

Presumably this is the sort of information that led Aragorn to counsel against entering Moria with the Fellowship of the Ring, even specifically referring to the threat to Gandalf:

It is not of the Ring, nor of us others that I am thinking now, but of you Gandalf. And I say to you: if you pass the doors of Moria, beware!

But it also seems clear enough that nobody knew it was a Balrog, as the quotes in the posts above indicate.

[The Might]

I think this discussion is quite interesting, but not on topic, so maybe we should start a new thread for the Moria problem.
The real question is why was the High Pass so easily eliminated as an option.
Moria clearly was more dangerous and same goes for the Gap of Rohan probably. But was it better then Caradhras or not?
I personally say it was, because of the already mentioned groups and persons that would have certainly helped the Fellowship.

[CSteefel]

Interesting question. I always assumed that the High Pass was much farther north than they wanted to go, especially since they wanted to pass through Lorien (either Caradhras or Moria would get them this). But also, it seems that whatever the searches turned up, the raiding party of Orcs that freed Gollum may have influenced the thinking as well, since it was clear that the Enemy was moving almost at will in this general region. Perhaps a route down on the west side of the river, however, would have given better results...

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I believe something was already mentioned before - like that the Company had to pick a route that was not as expected, and High Pass was probably one of the top possibilities. Since there were Mordor-uruks in Moria, I believe Sauron would see to it that even the goblins of Goblin-Gate were aroused and if it was needed, even though Eagles (one very important power that, I believe, was not mentioned) and Beornings were watching that region, one well-planned assault could do the main job and cripple or even eliminate the company. After passing to the other side, there were Wargs who could make quick raids deep into enemy territory. Even though "no warg dared to enter" Beorning lands, again, if it was well planned and with the advantage of wargs' speed the company could be surprised and people taken captive.

I believe Radagast could have played more important part here than it seems on first sight. I was playing with the idea a few posts earlier , but when I think of it, it seems quite important. But now I don't think about how Radagast could have helped the Fellowship if he WAS there, but what would mean if he indeed was NOT at Rhosgobel (and if Rhosgobel was by the southern end of Mirkwood). If there was nothing to watch the Enemy's movements on the eastern shore, he could have prepared a smaller troop of Orcs or other troops from Dol Guldur and cross Anduin on boats in the lands between the Old Forest road and Lórien. And that would be too much of a risk for the Company.

Last but not least, I believe that it was not much pleasant idea to carry the Ring through the Gladden Fields, even though it would be on the western shore this time. Also who knows how the area was passable (seems that it was quite swampy).

[radagastly]

Originally posted by Legate of Amon Lanc:

Last but not least, I believe that it was not much pleasant idea to carry the Ring through the Gladden Fields, even though it would be on the western shore this time. Also who knows how the area was passable (seems that it was quite swampy).

There is one other reason to avoid the Gladden Fields altogether. It was common knowledge where Isildur lost the Ring, and it was known that Gollum found the Ring in that vicinity. They even knew that Sauron knew as much. It's logical to think that the orcs that engineered Gollum's escape from Mirkwood were sent with Sauron's knowledge, in hopes that Gollum would lead him to the Ring eventually. Since Gollum was from that area originally, Sauron was likely paying special attention to that area. Sauron knew that "Shire" was far to the west, but there was still some chance that the Ring remained in the area where it was last known to be. Whether his spies were seen or not, he was no doubt having the area searched or at least watched. This would be a good reason to avoid the Gladden Pass and the High Pass in favor of something further south.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Yes, but of course Sauron knew very well at that time that the Ring is with Frodo and there was no reason to search the Fields anymore. But he may not have called off all of his servants, exactly for the reason mentioned above - so that no one passes through if they choose to. Also, we know that Saruman was searching that area extensively before as well. So maybe some of his "friendly fellows" remained there also.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

It appears from "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields" that the only way to avoid the treacherous marshlands was to skirt the borders of Mirkwood, not far from Dol Guldur: bad idea.

The principal advantage to the Dimrill Stair was that it debouched almost directly into Lothlorien, and avoided a lengthy march through the narrow lands between Mirkwood and the Mountains. From Gandalf's perspective it made perfect sense to minimize the Company's exposure in enemy-infested territory for as long as possible; and, of course, if you're going to cross mountains in January farther south as a rule is safer. Elrond's scouts had used both northern passes in November/December, true: but they were Elves, and probably no more discommoded by snow and cold than Legolas was.

EDIT: replaced "Rivendell" with "Lorien", which was what I meant.