0:00:44 > 0:00:48The music of the mountains pulses lightly through the granite heart
0:00:48 > 0:00:49of the Mournes.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54It's an area of outstanding natural beauty,
0:00:54 > 0:00:57an irresistible draw for ramblers.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03And my search for wilderness begins on a wonderful walking route,
0:01:03 > 0:01:06on the southern side of the mountains.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09From the end of Annalong Wood,
0:01:09 > 0:01:13it's gravelly underfoot as you stride towards Blue Lough
0:01:13 > 0:01:15on a well-worn trail to Slieve Binnian.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Passing Ben Crom reservoir,
0:01:19 > 0:01:23the walk up the ridge to the summit is long and tough.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26This is definitely a walk for the fitter rambler.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34And Banjo Bannon's going to lead the way.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36It's like a water feature, isn't it?
0:01:36 > 0:01:40It is. It's a natural feature and follows all the way along the path.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45He's climbed his way to the top,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48and Banjo's incredible journey to the roof of the world
0:01:48 > 0:01:50began right here.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54He trained in the Mournes to take on and conquer Mount Everest,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57a dream come true for a boy from Newry.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Just do a bit of a hop, skip and a jump.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06The first time I went walking in the Mournes
0:02:06 > 0:02:08I was about 14 years of age,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11and I decided to walk from Newcastle to Rostrevor.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Little did I know it was about 24 miles.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18I just followed the wall and eight hours later
0:02:18 > 0:02:21I arrived in Rostrevor very tired and exhausted
0:02:21 > 0:02:23but I made it and it felt really great,
0:02:23 > 0:02:28and it was that sense of exploration and expedition for me then,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31and then I knew that's what I really wanted to do with my life.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38The hardest thing is getting up out of your bed.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40Once you're up and actually doing it...
0:02:40 > 0:02:42If you start thinking about it too much...
0:02:42 > 0:02:47Just go up and do it and, believe me, you'll thank me for it,
0:02:47 > 0:02:49because just look round the scenery here,
0:02:49 > 0:02:51it's just gorgeous, even on bad days.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54There's never one day the same because, you know,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57the heather's purple or else it goes brown,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00every day is so different, the cloud formation is different,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03and it's just that sense of actually getting out here
0:03:03 > 0:03:07and, you know, it's actually good for your health as well.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10Maybe that's why ramblers say there's a hill for every ill.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17We're about 2,000 feet up here,
0:03:17 > 0:03:21making our way towards the North Tor on Slieve Binnian,
0:03:21 > 0:03:25but this is not an easy walk.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27HE GRUNTS
0:03:30 > 0:03:32'There's still a long way to go,
0:03:32 > 0:03:34'and up ahead the weather's closing in.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46'To make matters worse, I didn't eat enough,
0:03:46 > 0:03:47'and I'm running low on energy.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50'So make sure you have a big breakfast
0:03:50 > 0:03:51'before hitting this trail.'
0:03:54 > 0:03:58Ah...and out of the gloom
0:03:58 > 0:04:06you begin to see these huge...they look like boulders ahead of us.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08- HE PANTS - I'll tell you, that...
0:04:08 > 0:04:13that climb really takes it out of the legs.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17It's slightly surreal, coming out.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Because it's quite featureless for quite a long time up that,
0:04:21 > 0:04:26and all of a sudden you're meeting these huge blocks,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29with their heads in the clouds.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35- It's like two big monsters coming at you.- Yeah!
0:04:35 > 0:04:38There's blocks there half the size of a house!
0:04:43 > 0:04:45'It's cold and damp at the North Tor,
0:04:45 > 0:04:49'but even in the murk it's an extraordinary place.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13'Walk a landscape and you'll know it.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18'Spend time in its company and you'll share its secrets.'
0:05:18 > 0:05:20That looks like a face on that rock.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23It does, it's like a big sculpture, isn't it?
0:05:23 > 0:05:27- Like one of those Easter Island... - Yes!- ..statues.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31You were telling me this is your favourite place up the Mournes.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Oh, this is my favourite place.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35It's more than Donard or any of the rest.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37It has that bit of everything -
0:05:37 > 0:05:40a wee bit of scrambling up the rockface,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43a big long range up it and lovely scenery -
0:05:43 > 0:05:46- obviously you'll not get it today. - Definitely not!
0:05:46 > 0:05:47It's gorgeous scenery here.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50How far have we to go to get to the summit?
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- About 200-odd metres to go. - All right. Into the gloom.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Into the gloom...
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Binnian's panoramic views are a tantalising prospect,
0:06:06 > 0:06:10and my first ascent here will definitely not be my last.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31If you've been inspired to put on the walking boots and see it for yourself,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34check out the website...
0:06:37 > 0:06:38You'll find route maps,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42safety advice and links to walking clubs in your area.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46Here we are, Banjo, we've left the world behind.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51- We've made it!- Well done! You've done very well.- Thanks very much.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53It's not Everest, but it'll do me.