I can't say I use that particular brand (I have an Integral Designs Siltarp 10x12) but I wouldn't ever consider heading out without a good lightweight tarp.  The idea of sitting in a tent for a day or two waiting for the weather to clear is definitely not my idea of good time.  Every time I pitch hoist my tarp (because it feels more like hoisting a sail then pitching a tent) I can't help but feel what a clever lad I am.  Very fulfilling!  Seriously though, learning how to rig a tarp is well worth the time and practice to perfect.

I'm with Kerry and prouboy, I wouldn't go without at least one lightweight tarp.

Pat

A tarp along with a good saw/hatchet-small axe/rain suit are items I wouldn't go without anytime of the year.
Weather can change so fast.
I have a Dry-Fly tarp. With the ability to close it down on 3 sides, you can adjust it for any rain/wind condition.
I'd seal the seams first thing and make sure you dry it completely before you pack it away at home.
I used to take the time to fold mine in camp, but now just stuff into a appropriate size sack and lay on top of pack on closed plastic liner bag.
I tried using all styles of guy-line adjusters but found that when I pulled tarp out packed either way, the lines would still get tangled around them.
I have all the guy-lines pre-rigged at about  10'.
I use a trucker hitch and this allows me to use whatever is handy to loop a line around and secure  I bring good stakes too.
When I break camp, I don't tie up the guy-lines, I just leave them alone. I drop tarp and just stuff into sack. Lines don't tangle or should I say they come apart easily the next time up.
I pitch/takedown my tent under tarp so I don't have to worry about packing a tent/fly away wet.

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CCS has a nice link to setting up a tarp on his website.

Vance, Sorry to say I got 2 Kelty Tarps, a 9/9 1st, and it didn't seem to have great coverage so I got the 12/12. I wasn't very satisfied with it either. They are parabolic and it looks like you can put two opposite corners high and the other two low and it'll be nice and tight. It is tight. But it doesn't really protect you much in camp.

When I really want a tarp up, it always seems I want one long edge down to the ground to block the wind, a ridge line to make a wall, and the rest stretched out about head high for the roof.

I finally got a CCS. Works great using the info he has on his website.

I don't think the weight of the tarp is that great. I think I actually pack more weight in ropes than tarp. I like having a decent sized rope I can work with cold fingers, not parachute cord. And I leave them long enough to reach a long ways..

P.S. Please don't burn the tarp poles at camp. You'll usually find them leaning up against a tree so they don't rot on the wet ground.  :dankk2

I've used a 10' X 14' CCS ultra-light tarp for years.  Occasionally I'll leave that at home & use my CCS Lean Three Shelter (also ultra-light sil-nylon), especially in the late summer or fall when I can also use it as a tent.

Jimbo