Buckingham Peak (front and center) is one of the three peaks of Mt. Konocti

I first climbed Mt. Konocti in March 2020. My lofty plans on that occasion fell short thanks to problems with my knee which made every step up the mountain painful. I failed to reach any of the three peaks, but I did manage to explore Mary Downen’s cabin. So in the back of my mind ever since I’ve had the idea of trying again, hoping to reach Wright Peak at 1,853 feet elevation. With every visit to Clear Lake, however brief, Konocti seemed to beckon and taunt me. For being such a short distance, I’ve found the climb a great challenge — if it were on flat ground, I knew I could do it no problem!

My second visit to Mt. Konocti earlier this month didn’t get off the to best start. I’d intended something entirely different for that day, but when those plans fell through, I knew it was time to face the mountain. I didn’t mind so much getting slightly delayed behind a bulldozer that was grading the road up to the parking lot, but it was disconcerting to find a guy having drug-induced delusions parked in front of the only restroom. Once I fled my car and escaped up the trail, I struggled with a few other minor frustrations that seemed major at the time until I was sorely tempted to turn around and go home. But I managed to keep going, and gradually my day got better. Although I chose to climb to the peak that was closest and perhaps not quite as impressive, I did make it to the top. And even though I didn’t enjoy the view from the top that I had been imagining (thanks to the overgrown brush), I still feel proud of myself just knowing I got there!

Duskywing on lavender

Golden fairy lantern (Calochortus amabilis)

Road to Buckingham Peak — it looked much steeper in person!

In case you’re wondering, my post title is borrowed from the TV show Northern Exposure; bush pilot Maggie O’Connell‘s backstory included a graduate student boyfriend writing a book about mountain climbing which he had titled Mountain of My Misgiving. Sadly, he never finished the book because he decided to take a nap on a glacier and froze to death.

Riviera Estates from Buckingham Peak

It’s all downhill from here!