XC tire for mid-atlantic?

[bad mechanic]

I'm looking for new tires for my XC bike. I'm in the mid-atlantic so I mostly have hardpack with rocks and roots, often with loose rocky crap over-top of the hardpack. Currently I'm riding a Tioga Extreme XC up front and a Panaracer Pyro in the back. The Tioga doesn't really seem to want to hook up in corners like I want it to , and the Pyro slips too much for my taste on climbs. I'm looking for something gripper, but I don't want to get heavier tires than I have now. I'd like the cost to be reasonable as well ($35 per tire). I don't know how much of a difference it makes, but I weigh 150.

The tires I've looked at so far:
Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1
Continental Vertical Pro
Maxxis High Roller 2.1
Kenda Blue Groove 2.1

[sharkdh]

Try a set of Maxxis ADvantage 2.1's front and rear.
"They seem to roll through stuff real nice & they roll rather quickly."

[dirtydirtysouf]

but I don't want to get heavier tires than I have now.

Continental Vertical Pro

i have these tires on my GF and they dont roll very fast, but they hook up like a drunk chick at a bar on ladies night.