Tolkien was a mountain man
We often refer to very steep and pointy mountains as being "Tolkienesque", with perhaps more than a passing reference to the original cover of The Hobbit. I've just been rereading The Hobbit and Tolkien must have been in the mountains at some point, given the insightful nature of some of his writing:
This has to be one of the best descriptions of a storm in the mountains ever written:
"You know how terrific a really big thunderstorm can be down in the land and in a river valley; especially at times when two great thunderstorms meet and clash. More terrible still are thunder and lightning in the mountains at night, when storms come up from the East and West and make war. The lightning splinters on the peaks, and rocks shiver, and great crashes split the air and go rolling and tumbling into every cave and hollow; and the darkness is filled with overwhelming noise and sudden light"
And in a more humourous vein:
" 'I have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can't think what anyone sees in them' said our Mr Baggins"
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