Date: 2015-09-22
From: Stealth Camping Just Before Horseshoe Canyon Lean-

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

We were smart to stealth camp away from the shelter. In the morning we discovered that the camping area close to the shelter was pretty full with young hikwrs whow looked lIke partiers.The views from the AT of the canyon and the rushing water below were very interesting and beautiful. I am glad I was able to see it in the daylight. Fording of the East Branch of the Piscataquis River was easy due to the low water levels. Likewise the trail into Monson was relatively easy. Unfortunately my back was acting up, so I took more pack off breaks than I had planned. But before I knew it I was at ME 15 and calling Shaws for a ride into town.Shaws boarding house is legendary on the AT, so I wanted to make sure I stayed there. I also had resupply boxes waiting for me there, and I needed to arrange to have a food drop approximately half way through the 100 mile wilderness.The other place hikers stay in Monson is Lakeshore House Lodging, which has a very good restaurant and also does food drops. I wanted to investigate the food drop options before making my arrangements.Shaws provides food drops, but they meet the hiker at a logging road at a specific date and time to hand him or her the food. They require that a minimum number of hikers participate, and they charge about $85.00 (the hiker must provide the food). The minimum number of hikers had not yet been met, and I did not like the pressure of having to be at a specific location at a specific time. I had no idea how terrain or weather would affect my daily progress. Lakeshore House takes food drops out every Thursday and leaves them in a designated area for $25.00 (the hiker must provide the food). The hiker then collects the food whenever they reach the designated area, with no pressure. However, although the food is in 5 gallon buckets with lids, there is no guarantee that an animal or another hiker will not get to the food first. There is a minimum number of hikers who must participate, but the minimum number had already been met.At both the southern and northern entrance points of the 100 mile wilderness there are warning signs. The sign at the southern entrance point reads as follows:"There are no places to obtain supplies or get help until Abol Bridge 100 miles north. Do not attempt this section unless you have a minimum of 10 days supplies and are fully equipped. This is the longest wilderness section of the entire AT and it's difficulty should not be underestimated.   Good Hiking!"The use of food drops in the 100 mile wilderness is not without controversy.   Some purist AT thru hikers feel using a food drop is a form of cheating. Others do not like the fact that Lakeshore House leaves buckets of food in the woods unattended potentially for animals to find. And there is the issue of hikers leaving the 5 gallon buckets and trash along the logging roads, which are privately owned and maintained. I knew that there were still a few mountains to climb and more than a few water fordings coming up. Therefore I wanted to minimize the weight of my pack while making sure I had sufficient supplies to get me through the 100 mile wilderness safely. I decided to arrange a food drop with Lakeshore House.I had a delicious dinner at Lakeshore House - French onion soup, salad, and potroast, followed by a 3 berry cobbler with ice cream and whipped cream.The AT is calling. I have lots of work to do before I head back to the trail and enter the 100 mile wilderness.