Pre-searing Northlands map question

I noticed on the wiki that the Northlands in pre-searing go past where you can actually explore - there's a path, but it's blocked by closed gates on either end.

I searched through the Wiki and did some poking around online, but I haven't been able to find any info on this area. Is it still accessible? Is there a quest I need to complete in order to get over there? I didn't think there were any more Northlands quests besides the Ben Wolfson one...

There is no access beyond the gate.

Bummer. If that's the case, how did that area get unblocked/unblurred on the map pictured on the wiki?

Just curious!

Texmod is a tool used by players to extract textures from the game data. The user who uploaded the pic says he uses it. So no mystery there. Most maps cannot be fully explored to the artificial rectangular edges since naturally-curving borders like mountains or water will be made to intervene first. (Not like GW2's orthogonal mountain ranges...)

Oh, ok. That makes sense then.

I was hoping Northlands had some more areas to explore. Thanks for the info!