I have went back and forth over the years. Loving Tarps but thinking I needed a tent. After reading "Woodcraft" by Nessmuck (George Washington Sears), I am totaly in the Tarp camp now. Even in the fridged cold, a properly set up Tarp system in front of a fire will keep you warm and dry in almost any conditions. For me personally I just like being closer to the nature that I came out to enjoy, regardless of what she throws at me. I don't even own a tent at this point, I do own a $1,200 Kifaru Tipi (pictured in my avatar) that I Rarely ever use.