White Mountains (Middle-earth)
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The White Mountains, a loose translation of the Sindarin Ered Nimrais (White-horn mountains), is a fictional mountain range in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The mountains are named after the glaciers of the highest peaks.
The White Mountains form the northern boundary of Gondor and the southern boundary of Rohan except in their easternmost provinces.
The range lies mostly from east to west, but also has a northern section, which is separated 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 bear snow even in summer, suggesting they are extremely high. The range has no passes. The Paths of the Dead pass under it, but only the most courageous (or foolhardy) ever venture that route.
Notable peaks are the Irensaga (Iron Saw) and Starkhorn. Between these two lies the Dwimorberg, entrance to the Paths of the Dead. At the eastern end, the city of Minas Tirith is carved into the mountain Mindolluin.
The Warning beacons of Gondor are placed on top of seven peaks in the range: Amon Dîn, Eilenach, Nardol, Erelas, Min-Rimmon, Calenhad and Halifirien.
Several rivers rise in the White Mountains, among 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 enter 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 Army of 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.