How did Gollum escape from Moria ?

[Lastande Took]

Originally Posted by Rumil

Evening all,

another factor to throw into the mix is Gollum's climbing ability.

When caught by Frodo and Sam he was climbing down a rockface headfirst and described somewhere as 'like a spider' so he was evidently really good at rock climbing. Probably a mix of low body weight plus a very strong grip, and long fingers.

If he had to follow the Fellowship after the bridge was destroyed perhaps he climbed around the edge of the room to cross the chasm?

That's an idea. It doesn't seem likely that the Dwarves would try to smooth stone walls they couldn't reach, so Gollum likely found plenty of hand-holds. My question is: was the Ring enough of a lure for Gollum to try climbing on a (presumably) sheer rockface over a nearly infinite chasm? Wouldn't he try some other way first?

[alatar]

Originally Posted by Lastande Took

That's an idea. It doesn't seem likely that the Dwarves would try to smooth stone walls they couldn't reach, so Gollum likely found plenty of hand-holds. My question is: was the Ring enough of a lure for Gollum to try climbing on a (presumably) sheer rockface over a nearly infinite chasm? Wouldn't he try some other way first?

The orcs leave Moria, so there must be alternate ways to cross the chasm. And though Gollum can climb like a spider, he still would need a path between the two sides of the chasm (i.e. he cannot jump across).

[Findegil]

Even so, I don't believe that was his way, there was water at the bottom of the chasam and we know the Gollum could swim.

Respectfuly
Findegil

[Lastande Took]

So Gollum climbed down the side of the chasm at the Bridge of Khazad-dum, swam across the water at the bottom, and climbed up the other side?

[alatar]

Originally Posted by Lastande Took

So Gollum climbed down the side of the chasm at the Bridge of Khazad-dum, swam across the water at the bottom, and climbed up the other side?

I would hope that that was not what was intended, as, even if possible, it would take Gollum time that he did not have. Better would have been to climb across the ceiling, if one contiguous pathway existed.