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Lorien to Rauros

Éowyn Challenge Pathway Mileage and Descriptions


LOTHLÓRIEN TO RAUROS (389 Miles)


by Karen Wynn Fonstad


Author of The Atlas of Middle-earth


Note: There are several changes in this section compared with The Atlas of Middle-earth. These are due to reanalysis of the LOTR:FR text, including the importance of Gollum’s having been seen on the 4th day. The subsequent change to night travel, plus a recalculation of canoe speeds, altered both daily journeys and campsite locations. Speed of drift is shown as 2.8 mph – the same as Boromir’s funeral boat journey. Maximum paddling speed is calculated as 4.8 mph (drift speed plus 2mph – the latter being the average speed of an experienced canoist with no wind).


Ref: British Columbia Search and Rescue, www.sarbc.org/speed.html#canoe


My thanks to Michael Perry’s Untangling Tolkien for pointing out the discrepancy in canoe speeds.

920 Miles = Cumulative Journey thus far: Bag End to Lothlórien

Cumulative

Miles for Walk

Miles from last Mile- Post

Location/description at the Milepost.

Feb. 16 – Day 1: 31 miles (Hike + 7.5 hours on river)

0

0

Leave Caras Galadon after breakfast. Lembas, cloaks and rope are provided. Haldir guides the Fellowship south and east through rolling woodlands, which fall away toward the rivers.

10

10

Noon – Reach grassy lawn on the Silverlode just west of the Anduin. Practice paddling. Meet swan-ship of Celeborn and Galadriel. Lunch and gift-giving. Leave in 3 small boats (ca. 1 p.m.).

14

4

DRIFT. Sweep around a bend, and high banks hide the light of Lórien.

  24

10

Bare woods on both banks. Land is silent. Misty. Dusk comes early.

31

7

Camp in woods on west bank (ca. 8:30 p.m.). Dreary and cold.

Feb. 17 – Day 2: 36 miles (13 hours)

31

0

Leave early (ca. 7:30 a.m.). Bare trees continue on both sides. DRIFT. No enemies.

  67

36

Camp on west bank of the river.

Feb. 18 – Day 3: 36 miles (13 hours)

67

0

Leave early. DRIFT. No enemies.

88

21

Trees thin. Gray and overcast.

100

12

Trees disappear. Begin to see withered downs on east at the north edge of the Brown Lands. Tall reedy plains on west. Can see west to hills and mountains.

103

3

Camp in flats north of the Field of Celebrant.

Feb. 19 – Day 4: 60 miles (13 hours)

103

0

Leave early. Feel urgency. Paddle all day.

120

17

River broadens. Continues gray and overcast.

143

23

Reach North Undeep with stony beaches on east – gravel shoals in the water: go carefully.

150

7

River Limlight enters on west.

152

2

High wolds of the Brown Lands on east. Downs seen on the west.

155

3

Boromir mutters to himself. Just at dusk, Sam spots Gollum on a log.

163

8

Camp on small eyot near western shore. Sam and Frodo watch. Gollum appears during Frodo’s watch. Aragorn wakes. Watches until morning.

Feb. 20 – Day/Nt. 5: 72 miles – Continue through much of the night (18 hours)

163

0

Leave early morning. Paddle long periods. Still overcast, east wind.

170

7

River curves east. Wolds on both sides.

190

20

River swings south. Still amid high hills.

202

12

North edge of eastern South Undeep.

210

8

Dusk. Continue through much of the night, paddling cautiously.

220

10

Downs on far (east) bank. Hills of the Wold on near bank.

222

2

Reach the north edge of western South Undeep.

230

8

Reach steep north face of south downs, inner ridge – hidden in the dark.

235

5

CAMP during DAY (Feb. 21). Downs on both sides of the river.

Feb. 21 – Day/Nt. 6: 50 miles (13 hours)

235

0

Leave at dusk. Paddle cautiously. Sky clears. Sam notices ‘rind’ of the new Moon.

245

10

North face of outer down ridge.

260

15

Reach lowlands between downs and the Emyn Muil.

285

25

CAMP during DAY (Feb. 22).

Feb. 22 – Day/Nt. 7: 50 miles (13 hours)

285

0

Leave at dusk. Paddle cautiously.

290

5

Banks grow stony. Hills north of the Emyn Muil rise on the east shore.

300

10

Hills also appear on the west. The river passes through “low crumbling cliffs, and chimneys with grey weathered stone dark with ivy.”

314

14

They reach the higher Emyn Muil.

335

21

Camp on west shore (Feb. 23). Many birds circle during the day.

Feb. 23 – Day /Nt. 8: 12 miles (3.5 - 4 hours)

335

0

Late in day Legolas sees eagle. Wait to full dark to leave (8:30 p.m.). Go slowly.

347

12

Midnight. Sam hears racing water. North edge of the rapids of Sarn Gebir. ORC ATTACK. Reach western shore. Legolas shoots a Nazgul’s flying beast. Move upstream to a small shallow bay. Huddle in boats rest of the night.

Feb. 24 – Day 9: 2 miles

349

2

Foggy. Carry boats and packs to foot of rapids – 2 trips. Camp by pool that night.

Feb. 25 – Day 10: 40 miles (9+ hours)

349

0

Leave at full light (ca. 7:30 a.m.).

358

 9

Brief, heavy rain.

360

2

They are in a wide ravine, with great rocky sides, and a few trees.

364

4

Channel grows narrower and the River swifter.

368

4

The Argonath. Boats are swept through the narrow gap between.

369

1

Chasm of the Gates bends slightly to the west.

370

1

Pass out of the chasm into the lake: Nen Hithoel. (ca. 2 p.m.).

373

3

Rest in boats and eat. Then paddle on.

386

13

Aragorn leads them toward the west bank.

389

3

Reach the lawn of Parth Galen below Amon Hen. “Rauros was calling with a great voice.” Camp there.

Feb. 26 – Day 11 – Breaking of the Fellowship

1309 Miles = Cumulative Journey thus far - Bag End to Rauros

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