[pct-l] Starting a thru-hike in January from San Diego?

[Mike O]

Hi everyone. I've known about the PCT for a while and I've hiked it once or twice but it never dawned on me to do a thru-hike. I've always wanted to do a thru-hike on the Appalachian trail but that is on the other side of the country. Anywho, this idea was switched on in my head like a lightbulb and as such, I'm trying to find out how feasible it is. I'm a 23, almost 24 year old college student. I'll be graduating in the fall of 2012 and I want to attempt my thru-hike then, as that's really the only opportunity I would have. This means that my hike would start at the beginning of January, after the holidays. Is this suicide or is it possible? I'm in decent shape, I know I can get in a lot better shape and I would have a year and a half to prepare for this. I have hiking and camping experience, not much in the winter though. That's my biggest worry, going through the Sierras and Cascades during the winter and early spring. Is this suicide or is it
 possible?

Thanks
-Mike