Having spent 12 years in Western Washington, I got used to carrying a 8X10 ripstop nylon tarp, and yes I carry it on this trip (an extra 1.5 pounds) I pitch the tarp over the tent. My tent stays almost completely dry even in the heaviest deluge. I've gone thru so much rain in the last month... I would carry the tarp with any tent. I've spent a total of about 7 days in the tent in the last 30 days (including 3 straight days) But I've also endured rain in the tent without the tarp on this trip and I had no issues