Well, I don't bring a tarp as extra shelter, it is my main shelter. It is also the last thing I pack when leaving camp. This puts it in a very handy location for quick access. It also makes it easy to grab it first when setting up camp. I just pull into my sleeping area for the night, set up my tarp, then start setting up the hammock. If it starts to rain, I am under the tarp as I am setting up.

The use of a tarp is great. It can be used as a shelter during a rainstorm. I find it very handy to cook under during a rainstorm. You can also use it as shade.

I made my own using the directions at http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=3947. There are many different styles, you could make a very simple one. Ed Speer has a book about lightweight hammocking and goes into detail on how to make one. You could also buy his tarp kit, http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/Tarps.htm

The Hammock Forums is a tremendous resource of how to make one, and how to suspend it. I like using using amsteel 7/64" made into a whoopie sling for my suspension of the hammock and the tarp.

A small tarp made out of silnylon, some amsteel and 1.75mm utility line for the tie outs don't take much room or weigh very much.