"Therefore Feanor halted and the Noldor debated what course they should now take. But they began to suffer anguish from the cold, and the clinging mists through which no gleam of star could pierce; and many repented of the road and began to murmur, especially those that followed Fingolfin, cursing Feanor, and naming him as the cause of all the woes of the Eldar."

—The Silmarillion Of the Flight of the Noldor

The Helcaraxë, Helcaracsë or the Grinding Ice was an icy waste between the lands of Aman and Middle-earth. Its exact nature is left a little unclear, but it seems to have been broken and shifting pack ice covering the northernmost parts of the Great Sea Belegaer.

The Helcaraxë is first recorded as having been crossed by Melkor and Ungoliant after the darkening of the Trees, then later by Fingolfin and his people in the first year of the sun. The Helcaraxë was a very dangerous place and many of the Noldorin exiles perished including Elenwë, wife of Turgon.

External link Edit

• Helcaraxë at Tolkien Gateway