Thanks! The weather is indeed looking a bit dicy, but drilling down it doesn't seem to be getting any worse over the first few weeks of travel area than it "can" get --- i.e., if I know I have to be prepared for snow and temps down into the teens at night, then if those are the actual conditions when I start --- I reckon I'll just start.

Between a couple of companions starting with me (both more experienced than I) and better options to get off trail on the AT, I'm not too concerned. My wife knows that I'm beyond too much danger of "stupidity through testosterone poisoning" and will bail out to a hostel or motel if conditions warrant.

If you're actually interested in "stories" about such trips, lots and lots of people do this each year, many with journals (trail blogs) on http://postholer.com and http://www.trailjournals.com. Mine is at http://postholer.com/brianle