A tarp is pretty handy when bugs are not a problem. My wife and I carry an 8' x 10' sil-nylon tarp on short winter ski trips, and for an emergency shelter in our ski patrol packs; we are backcountry ski patrollers. I made it, and it has tie down loops along the hem, and at strategic spots on the interior seams. We also have a 5'x7' sil-nylon tarp for winter day trips.

It can be pitched in several configurations with 25' of 7 mm cord. A couple of loops of parachute cord tied in a loop and attached to the 7 mm cord with a prusik knot will hold it taunt using, 2 small key chain type carabiners to clip it to the tarp's tie-out loops. A couple of "S" would also work.



Another way to pitch a tarp.


My wife in her bivy sack. I would not want to use a tarp as my sole protection on a tour.