You mentioned lots of new stuff to research now <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Just to say again...my intention of going bivy/tarp or just bivy doesn't have as much to do with weight as much as just being outdoors more and seeing the country, even in teh middle of the night. I am a super light sleeper so when I hear something outside my tent, it takes forever to go back to sleep. I am not worried about the bugs cuz I will make sure I have the right minimalist bivy with a mesh for protection.

I really have my heart set on a back weighing at the maximum 20lbs. If I can achieve this with a 4 season bivy and a 3 season tarp, then the extra weight won't really matter as much I guess.