On the Fabric of Tarps and Life
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2 things that most Woodsmen encounter in life…
One is the rain.Two is condensation because you are trapped inside a structure somewhere it is raining.
The two are not mutually exclusive, and neither is particularly helpful if you don’t bring any rain protection. That’s why I usually have some sort of tarp.
My favorite tarp is made by Paria Outdoors, and weighs approximately 1lb without stakes and rope. 
It is made of sil nylon, and I have weather-tested it extensively in rain and snow. The thing is proof against most weather. Kind of worries me how amazing it is, in the way that most things I own do when they are worth their salt. As far as 10×10 tarps go, I don’t know if I could do better.
For the quick missions, I enjoy the poncho tarp. I have used this with my bivy sack as well, but it really shines in lean-to mode. I’ll put you in the scene: The weather is darkening and the clouds are moving in fast. There between two trees where the bushes gather there is an opening. The lower branches hang down and the green everboughs cast needles when I brush against them. The dried needles are brown with the earth peeking up below them, and give forth a musty sweet scent.
That is where I stick it. Ridgeline across, lines out and stake down the back and you have a primo shelter that turns nasty weather into the pleasant sound of rain tapping out a country tune. This is the one I use.
If you have ever enjoyed the rain on the side of your tent or tarp, then you know what I’m talking about. Put a cup of coffee in my hand and a book and I’ll be ready to call that home.
Perhaps it’s best to finish with a woodsman’s blessing. I won’t rip off the sailors and wish you fair winds and following seas, but I will leave you with this:
“May the rain that finds you tap against the side of your tent, and not the side of your head.”
-Ed