This is one of the most reliable views in the Mournes. The descent past Binnian North Tor - similar sounding albeit to North Top, but spinning much much slower except of course when an east wind gets under yer kilt - gets fairly steep - I myself went A over T a couple of years back and knocked a few corners off - even in the most persistent cloud, suddenly there it is: Crom, Doan, Bearnagh et al and it can be breathtaking. Better still if you take a tremulous step West, you find yourself on block crags above the reservoir and the little earth-bound people out for their constitutional. The wather boord, as so described up here, were letting a roaring Crom Reservoir into a depleted Spelga one on Sunday: such drama!
All ascents to this cinema screen should be effected from Carrick Little carpark up off Glasdrumman and the Kilkeel Road. Even some of those with endless wit, persist in making an entirely pointless ascent from Spelga, a £3 parking fee and a duck pond. Sure if you want a £3 parking fee and a duckpond, go to a service station in Cumbria. Anyhoo - Kilkeel Road, Maxol Garage (bemused by the money he makes from hillwalkers), Dunny Water Bridge-let and Carrick Little Carpark. Set off past rabbits, whins, postcard Irish countryside, dodgy ponies and given the weather, a vista into the main Mourne horseshoe that will blow your Scarpas clean off. Up dull old, wet old, windy old Binnian - until you're into the Tors and then it all begins.
Even after 10 years of ascending the girl, Binnian never fails to be amazing. Because she's so in your face, you think ah sure she'll wear off - but she never does. She's as big as a continent, as pretty as Polly Perkins and as surprising as MLA Donaldson at the West Belfast Feile. Go get her now ! Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/145/comment/1055/

Climbed Binnian for first time today. Going on the advice from Bleck Cra (again) left from Carrick Little car park and followed the wall to the summit. Although a fairly sunny day in Newry and Kilkeel there was a blanket of cloud covering the summit and it was clear that this would not be a great day for views or photos.
Sure enough about half way up visibilty was down to about ten yards, so being on my first attempt I stuck close to the wall and continued up. When you aren't 100% sure of your exact position in the cloud it is quite eery to see the massive granite Tors suddenly appear only metres from you through the mist - but a welcome sight none the less.
Spent a while wandering around, over and between the Tors through the cloud before walking north along the ridge towards the Black Castles - visability still zero. On reaching the North Top the cloud began to vanish and people began to appear in their dozens walking in the opposite direction to myself. Although they were getting the clear day at the top I will always believe the route up the wall is the better because it hides these magnificent views from you until you reach the top and you can enjoy them for the entirety of your descent.
So, pity about the initial cloud cover, but today proved that Binnian can be magnificent even in the cloud - as if she was hiding a secret from me! Something I will not be shown until beckoned to return the next time. I can't wait! Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/145/comment/1061/