Routeburn Track in May for Beginner

Hi everyone. I'm pretty much a beginner. 28 yo. I started with The Pinnacles in March (ended up going from the hut to the top 3 times over the 12 hours we were there) and then did the Tongariro Crossing in April (which included Mt Ngaruahoe which was totally closed in and sub-freezing at the top). Had planned a 16-17 May trip of the Routeburn with a friend who ended up pulling out 3 weeks ago but I've decided to push on. Basically I'm just looking for all and any information and advice I can. Open to learning and taking advice. I feel confident in my ability and consider myself reasonably steady headed in decision making, however I realise I am still a beginner and don't know as much as I may think I do. I've only just started tramping but was bought up doing outdoor things. I've spent the last month hours each night reading conditions, winter advice for the track, general outdoor skills etc. No this doesn't make up for one day on the trail, but I was bought up to over-prepare for everything so I'm doing what I can. This was a good discussion (http://tramper.nz/?view=topic&id=8218&offset=1), and I had already read the winter routeburn page 4 or 5 times. I know it's off season but the bridges are still there until the end of May. I'll be hiring a PLB. I have spoken to both DoC Queenstown and the Great Walks in Te Anau and gotten advice. I bought a Silva compass and Topo maps and practiced nagivation during the Tongaroro trip. Getting advice from people who have actually done this in winter would be great. Are the rivers likely to be unsafe to pass? I wouldn't do this after May as the snow/avalanche risk build but feel ok for now. With the recent death and weather forecast for the weekend there are some friend/family wondering if I'm safe going. I understand there is risk in going and the decision to go is my responsibility. Any severe turn in the weather between now and next weekend and I'm happy to call it off but at this stage I feel ok with the risk level. Thoughts? I have safety-oriented equipment such as gaitors, full first aid back, PLB, emergency blanket, extra food, MSR PocketRocket, knife, beanie, gloves, pack dry-bag, smaller dry-bag, headlamp, micro torch, compass, Topo Maps, full Polypro base layers, mid thermal and hardshell Marmot jacket.