When the Fellowship are on the side of the mountain and arguing about which direction to take- continue on or turn back, Gandalf says:

> 
> "Let the ring bearer decide."
> 
> 
> 

Why does Gandalf say that? 

He knows that Frodo has enough on his plate, what with taking the ring all the way to Mordor, so why add to his problems by making Frodo decide the way to go?

This [link](http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Fellowship_of_the_Ring#Members) says that Gandalf the Grey is the leader of the fellowship because he is the wisest, most powerful, and bravest. A leader must decide where to go and what to do next. Now the question is: why Gandalf the Grey let Frodo Baggins to decide where to go? 

Frodo is not the leader of the Fellowship. He is just the Ring-Bearer who volunteered to destroy the ring. But if Frodo is the leader then he must choose the way the Fellowship must go and what course of action needs to be taken.