I'm going to have to think on this. Admittedly, I haven't poured over this year's offerings, but when I did last year in an effort to help a friend find a decent HT, I found it frustrating. While 29er HTs with decent components are easy enough to find--and you may want to go that route, although your height and budget may prove to be limiting factors--there are fewer and fewer nicely speced 26er HTs out there. Most companies are focusing on FS and/or 29ers. The handful of HT 26ers out there don't have particularly good specs and are often heavy. I'd start looking at the various manufacturers' websites to see what's on offer, but I'd also start looking used.
Do you know how much travel you're going to want with your fork? I'd also suggest disc brakes, although they can be more temperamental.
Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.
--Mary Anne Radmacher