Thoughts on flat tarps

This last week we took a quick climbing trip to the City of Rocks where I tested out my just-finished 8x7ish flat tarp. I made this out of Lawson's .74oz banana cuben. 

--Some notes on the tarp constuction--

Hysol is much more difficult to work with than I anticipated. If you have a nice big well-light and well-ventilated space to set out a massive jig then it'd be fine, but I do not and it was a struggle. So the construction was a bit sloppy, but it turned out fine and seemed to weather the probably 20 mph gusts last night.

I also got to test the John West/Borah Gear bivy, older Golite quilt and ridgerest combo down to the mid-20s at a little elevation (7 I think?) and a stiff breeze whipping across southern Idaho. Condensation wasn't a problem on the tarp or inside the bivy, a testament to the temperature and wind speed. I've finally accepted that when I'm packing light and don't have any extra clothes at night, I want something for me head. So I'm going to begin using my MYOG POE stuff sack pillow at 1.9oz. 

So far I've been using my flat tarps in the pitch pictured. It's kind of a double-pole flying diamond sort of thing. I also pitched it in an A-frame but the wind was strong enough that I wanted really good protection on two sides. The stick prop helped bring the tarp off my bag a little. A 'mid style pitch would have also worked well.

If you're using a poncho and the hood is closer to one end than the other, pitch the hood closer to your feet. An excellent space for your feet is created when you pull the hood out.