Midlayers?

Sounds like you'll have more than enough. In three season hiking I rarely ever need more than a wind shell, and the Nuclei will have you covered should it get cold.

Thanks for the fast reply. That's what I thought but the wife was worried

I think you'll be fine. Generally all I need (at most) is a capilene 3 (midweight baselayer) and some sort of shell. Then add a warm insulated jacket for breaks. There was only one time where I needed a 100wt fleece to back that up and it was 15 degrees for the daily high. Not that common outside of winter!

I'm sure you know this, but don't skip on warm socks, a hat, and gloves. I've been snowed on in Virginia in May.

Josh,
When you wear your Arcteryx Nuclei Jacket over your long sleeve shirt and under your wind shell, it is a “midlayer”!!!

Semantics aside, you should be fine, as the others have said.

Your stated clothing system is actually pretty streamlined and versatile, IMO, but you are definitely going to want a short sleeve shirt with you. Probably even right from the start.

You might check out Wired’s blog of her AT thru hike going on right now. Just take note of how many thru hikers in her pictures are wearing t-shirts, even right now in late April. There’s a reason for that…

Thanks again for all of your help. It is greatly appreciated. I. Will have some micro wool gloves and beanie as well as a buff with me.

Derek thanks for the advice on the SS shirt I'll definitely toss one in the pack.

You will probably be fine with that but realize you will still have some cold nights. It was 18*f and snowed 10" one night on me two or three years ago in April near Cheoch bald (north of Weser NC). I have seen snow in the smokies in late June but it didn't stick, I have also been in Grayson Highlands on the AT in mid August and had temps right above freezing.

I think you're plenty warm too.

So would you err on the side of caution and bring 20 degree quilt to start or 30 degree?

Are you a warm sleeper?

If it was me (I'm neither a warm nor cold sleeper), I would bring a 20 degree bag until June, then swap out for a 30 or 35 degree bag after that.

I'm not sure about swapping back again at the end of the trail though. I have no experience hiking in New England, but suspect the sleeping bag decision up there will largely depend on how early or late in the season you get there.

When do you roughly plan to get to the White Mountain area?

We are expecting to be in the white mountains around late July.

I would take a 20* quilt and use that until you get through the Mt rogers area. You can trade it out for a less warm and lighter quilt in Marion VA. Depending on your speed you may want to switch back to the warmer quilt once you get back in the whites.

Ok thanks for all the info, honestly I was really hoping to get away with carrying a 30 degree the whole trip, but I guess that is not really feasible as the temps will just be too cold in the beginning

In my experience it doesn't matter when you get to the Whites; nights below freezing aren't unusual in any month, and cold rain, wind, and fog are common. My summer bag is 20*, and I'm pretty anal about keeping it dry.

Really- what's the weight differential between a good 40* and 20* quilt or bag?

And if your'e going to be sleeping on the ground (you are!), I'd recommend something warm underneath you as well… that cold wet mud gets cold and wet!

Thanks for everyones help you all have been great to deal with. I'll talk to Tim at EE about a 20 degree Enigma Pro, That should get me through the whole trail… If i get hot I'll just open it up and if I get cold I'll throw on some layers. That should work for the whole trail right?