Balin, Moria and the King Under the Mountain

[Kuruharan]

An out-post with 500 dwarves ready to march with spare gear at a moments notice ?

Yes, that sounds like an outpost to me. Five-hundred is not that many.

While the Iron Hills was no Khazad-Dum or Erebor it seemed to be the major concentration of the House of Durin in the late 3rd age.

Yes, I've often wondered why Durin's Folk did not go to the White Mountains and set themselves up there.

I don't believe they were given up on. I don't recall where it is said that all dwarves of the Iron Hills moved to Erebor.

I think that you are right. The Iron Hills were probably not abandoned.

what is a mattock?

A mattock is like an axe, only different.
The blade is set at right angles to the handle. (Technical description. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] )