how durin founded the longbeards

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

What I can't remember right now is how near in time to Melkor's initial mayhem and chaos the dwarves were created and awakened. Had Utumno been destroyed yet?

It is said in The Silmarillion that the making and subsequent temporary dormancy of the Dwarves preceded the awakening of the Elves. It was for the sake of the latter that Melkor was assaulted in Utumno, and that stronghold destroyed.

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

Maybe the proximity to Melkor is the reason why Durin decided it best to head south rather than stay at Gundabad.

Angband was of course still in being when Durin awoke, and that indeed could have been a factor in his travels.