Thanks guys! Money is ALWAYS an object.

BTW, what I failed to mention is that I intend on going north to south starting in March. Thus my concern about the cold. As a Texan I'm fairly well versed in how to stay cool.

JP I appreciate the advice, but I've already got a lightweight tent and don't see spending another $170+ on a super light bivy + another 25 or 30 for a sil tarp large enough to shelter me and the bivy in the event of bad weather (think the most recent weather experienced throughout the Mid-Atlantic states). I really am not a fan of bivy sacks anyway. I totally agree about the pack though. the more I've thought about it, the less likely I am to use it on a thru-hike on the AT. The CDT maybe when there are fewer resupply points or water availability. I've got an Osprey ATmos 50 on the way, and will probably use that or a Exos 46 I've been eyeing. Both are much lighter than the ILBE.

I'm really just in a quandry about taking a 1 or 2 man tent.