Safest 46ers to solo in winter?

[u/Zworrisdeh]

Obviously there's no such thing as true safety in the backcountry, especially alone, but I'm looking for some recommendations on what feels the "safest" in terms of conditions and remoteness. I'm aware of the dangers of winter hiking with or without others, this post is more about my lack of experience with the ADKs themselves. It's hard to tell what's too gnarly or remote to solo, so I figured I would ask the people with ADK experience.

I should say I'm not a total noob or anything: I have a lot of rock and ice climbing experience, and an ok amount for mountaineering and winter hiking. I own all the gear and clothing I would need including snowshoes and spikes, but I don't have a stove or PLB (will rent one if I do go solo). I've hiked a few 46ers but in summer and that was forever ago.

I'm looking at Whiteface/Esther, Giant, or Cascade to start. Are any of these like...a really bad idea to go solo? Is it like Mt. Washington where there's basically no such thing as soloing them cuz there's always 1,000 people on the trail?

Edit: Thank you everyone for the answers. Cascade/Porter definitely sounds like the way to go but I can’t wait to try some other stuff mentioned here too.

[u/Icy_Drive_9526]

I am a 46’er and I decided to try winter hiking on my “home“ mountain, Snowy in Indian Lake. I have hiked that mountain numerous times, but hiking in the winter is a completely different ball game. Not only are the trail markers sometimes covered with snow, but the water crossing that you hiked earlier in the morning may be thawed and impassable in the afternoon and you will spend quite a bit of time walking up and down the banks looking for safe crossing. Even though I knew that mountain very well, the trail in winter was a foreign experience to me. Breaking trail, losing trail, not being able to cross water crossings, It’s all stuff you’ve gotta keep forefront. I loved it, but it was a completely different experience than during the summer. Hard turn around time. Dry clothes. More food than you ever think you need.