[HCIsland]

I don't have my copy with me but as I recall they were definately considering using the Gap of Rohan which means they would have already been heading south. Going back up to the High Pass would have taken them majorly out of their way and time was an issue. If they had all the time in the world they could have gone around the western end of the White Mountains and travelled through Gondor.

I can't remember an actual passage but considering it was winter, the High Pass may have been impassible as SaucepanMan suggested. Also, I'm not exactly convinced that Redhorn was considered more dangerous than the High Pass. They certainly didn't expect the unnatural storm they ran into.

H.C.