Joining an unknown/unfamiliar group could leave you hiking alone anyway... it can be difficult to vet strangers for such a big hike to ensure you have similar styles/goals/risk management as well as pacing. I'm not intending to discourage you, just make sure you realize that jumping on someone else's permit might not meet the goals you are seeking to 'not hike alone'.

That said - there will be LOTS of folks on the trail - so you won't be alone much. If that's not 'safe' for you - it might be best to wait for next season and pull together a group of your own (or join a group that can train together ahead of the hike) to ensure everyone in the group is on the same page laugh