# How did Gandalf plan on getting into Mordor? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 28, 2010, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793 "2010-01-28T18:49:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/21 "2010-01-28T23:15:03Z")
If Gollum could get **out** , Gandalf can get **in**. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/22 "2010-01-28T23:40:32Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > If Gollum could get **out** , Gandalf can get **in**. Well, we know how Gollum got out, so I guess the question was whether Gandalf was willing to go up against Shelob to do the same thing. In any case, I’m guessing plan A was not “lets let Sam fight the giant Spider Monster”. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/23 "2010-01-29T00:19:13Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Oh, c’mon! Chuck doesn’t need to drop the One Ring into molten lava; he simply breathes on it and it falls apart. 😛 Unfortunately, such things are no longer true. These days, Chuck Norris claims the One Ring is an anti-American Communist Plot and then wanders off and forgets what he was talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/24 "2010-01-29T00:21:23Z")
> [@shantih](#): > > You do not simply WALK into MORDOR. GOD. :rolleyes: > > 🙂 Of course God can simply walk into Mordor. God can do anything. That is why that call him “God” rather than “Barry.” ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/25 "2010-01-29T00:34:43Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > That is why that call him “God” rather than “Barry.” Barry? Hashem, perhaps, Avinu, or Adonai. But _Barry?_ Jeez. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/26 "2010-01-29T00:37:24Z")
Ilúvatar! Are you sure you guys are in the right thread? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/27 "2010-01-29T00:38:33Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Barry? > Hashem, perhaps, Avinu, or Adonai. But _Barry?_ > Jeez. > 🙂 It was a topical joke. Want another hint? ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/28 "2010-01-29T00:44:48Z")
Or Mr. President. 🆒 ETA: deleted, on grounds of not being funny, then readded, since **Skald** replied before I edited. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/29 "2010-01-29T00:45:39Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Or Mr. President. > 🆒 Well, I knew YOU’D get it. We’re the only ones here who eat grits. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/30 "2010-01-29T00:51:32Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Well, I knew YOU’D get it. We’re the only ones here who eat grits. Are you using that crystal ball again? Supper at Oak’s Grove tonight is a bacon, egg, & cheese sammich, with a side of grits. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/31 "2010-01-29T00:53:37Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Are you using that crystal ball again? Supper at Oak’s Grove tonight is a bacon, egg, & cheese sammich, with a side of grits. > 😛 The youngest Rhymers refer to that as a heart attack sandwich, Oak. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/32 "2010-01-29T00:59:11Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Well, I knew YOU’D get it. We’re the only ones here who eat grits. You eat Liberal Canadians? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/33 "2010-01-29T01:01:17Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > The youngest Rhymers refer to that as a heart attack sandwich, Oak. If God didn’t want my arteries clogged, He would not have put cholesterol in eggs, or fat in bacon. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/34 "2010-01-29T01:03:08Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > You eat Liberal Canadians? :eek: Sure, if she’s willing, but that has nothing to do with food. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/35 "2010-01-29T01:05:54Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > This ties back in to the Bilbo/Smaug thread. Gandalf was a confirmed believer in the theory of divine providence. You just point yourself in the right direction, and eventually, good things happen. Ways open up. Even the most seemingly unlikely strategy will work. Witness his determination from the beginning to go through Moria. 😕 I thought going through Moria was plan B, after the mountains proved impassible. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/36 "2010-01-29T01:12:43Z")
Book Gandalf wanted to take the mines to basically drop out of sight. ---
**Author:** ![Bartman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bartman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bartman)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/37 "2010-01-29T01:14:25Z")
There were versions of Return of the King that came with a topo style map of Gondor and Mordor, drawn by CRT and approved by JRRT. Looking at that there are several likely looking passes. In fact if you look at where the Poros river goes into the Ephel Duath it looks like the mountains have a large broad valley pass, with hardly any elevation at all. So finding a walkable path may not be a problem. But what was it that Gollum said? “All ways are watched yes. Of course they are… This may be least watched.” The problem is finding a way that they can sneak through. Given Gandalf’s and Aragorn’s history, I’m certain each had an idea or two on where a crossing could be made. I expect they intended to scout the best possible route when they had gotten there. They hadn’t decided on a plan on how to cross the Misty Mountains until they reached Eregion after all. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/38 "2010-01-29T01:15:20Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > 😕 I thought going through Moria was plan B, after the mountains proved impassible. Gandalf was afraid of going through Moria but thought it would probably be necessary. Aragorn wanted to go over specifially because he had had a foreseeing that Gandalf would not live through it. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/39 "2010-01-29T01:19:13Z")
> [@Bartman](#): > > There were versions of Return of the King that came with a topo style map of Gondor and Mordor, drawn by CRT and approved by JRRT. Looking at that there are several likely looking passes. In fact if you look at where the Poros river goes into the Ephel Duath it looks like the mountains have a large broad valley pass, with hardly any elevation at all. So finding a walkable path may not be a problem. > > But what was it that Gollum said? “All ways are watched yes. Of course they are… This may be least watched.” The problem is finding a way that they can sneak through. Given Gandalf’s and Aragorn’s history, I’m certain each had an idea or two on where a crossing could be made. I expect they intended to scout the best possible route when they had gotten there. They hadn’t decided on a plan on how to cross the Misty Mountains until they reached Eregion after all. Aragorn specifically says that he did not think Gandalf had a specific plan after Lorien. This may seem foolish, but I think it was the right approach; he had to see the situation on the ground to make a judgment, and would not wish to commit himself emotionally to a strategem that would prove unwise, or get target fixation. Also bear in mind that it was never meant for all nine to go all the way to Mordor. Had Gandalf lived to make it through Lorien, I think he would have taken Frodo, himself, and Gimli into Moria, while Aragorn and the rest went to Minas Tirith. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793/40 "2010-01-29T02:02:07Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Want another hint? Sure, knock yourself out. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-gandalf-plan-on-getting-into-mordor/526793.md?page=3)