I've Binnian Here Before

Not a couple of days after my first hike of the year up Slieve Binnian, I was on the road again to the Little Carrick car park on one of the best days of the year so far. With the sun out, it looked like so was half the island with car registrations from at least four or five different counties. The last time I climbed Slieve Binnian, I followed the gravel trail until the Ben Crom reservoir however this time, I decided I would do the tough, direct ascent up to Binnian's summit and from there work my way back. From having done this direct climb before, I knew it was a bit tough but it was oh so much worse than I remembered - an hour incline of around ~600m was quite the way to start the day.

Finally, when reaching the top I was rewarded with the views I missed out on a few days ago - seeing everything from Slieve Muck to Slieve Donard as well as a look into Silent Valley!

After finishing my lunch at the peak, I was back on my way and heading towards the North Tor. This time around without all the fog and clouds, I could see where I went totally wrong the last time I climbed Binnian - following the wall that went around the peak instead up heading straight up. As I finally reached the descent towards the valley, I really came to appreciate Slievelamagan for its size, something I missed the last time again due to the visibility. Therefore, an easy choice was made - since I was already on my way to the col between Slieve Binnian/North Tor and Slievelamagan, I might as well attempt it.

As I continued to get closer to the mountain, I noticed that the wasn't a well defined trail for around 60% of the climb. Moreover, it was going to be a very vertical climb, similar to what I did summiting Slieve Binnian at the start of the hike. With that in mind, I decided to plow on and see the sun setting over the Binnian range and Silent Valley. As I made my way further up, parts of Lamagan really tested my tiring legs with rocky scrambles as well as my spirit when several times I stopped to look up and think I was approaching the summit, only to disappointed when it continued on further.

Reaching the summit at 5pm, I was determined to wait it out until sunset at around 6:15pm and so I kept myself busy and moving for around the top of the summit to fight off the cold winds. From the summit, you can really appreciate being in the heart of the Mourne range surrounded by Slieve Binnian, the Ben Crom reservoir ahead; Doan and Bearnagh to the right, and of course Commedagh and Donard behind with the Annalong Valley stretched out below.

With time passing slower when waiting for the sunset, I got myself cozy against a rock and enjoyed the view ahead of me looking down into Ben Crom and further into Silent Valley. Despite the haze, it was still a pretty view and definitely worth the effort and blue hands!

Coming down Slievelamagan was easier but I was in a race against the setting sun and so I moved as quickly as I could back down the ~4.5km trail to my car. Luckily, it was a pretty straight track so I couldn't get too lost. So at around 8pm, I was in finally back in my car and ready to drive home after a hike up my favourite mountain and also ticking off a new peak in the Mournes!