Leaving Damascus after Trail Days significantly reduces the clothing you need to carry and you don't need much of a sleeping bag. But don't skimp on the shelter. The AT really requires something which fully encloses you. A tarp on the AT really requires some kind of bug bivy and by the time you add one of those, you might as well go for a real tent and be done with it. And if you plan to skip shelters as much as possible, I'd get a more comfortable pad. Getting a comfortable nights sleep is more important then shaving a few ounces off your back.
If you can hit a 10-12 pound total base weight, your doing good. I can never seem to get quite that low except for summer overnighters with known good weather.