Thanks for the advice brian but I'm kind of stuck on northbound. Honestly I'm not hardcore devoted on completing a thru-hike I just wana "do" it, if you know what I mean. If something happens and I have to bail I will, but I'll push on otherwise. I agree with the mountaineering experience thing, I'm going to try and get as much experience as I can even if it means resorting to trail and error solo experience on the winter AT.