Gear List || Backpacking Tarp & Bivy: Ultralight minimalism by Andrew Skurka
A tarp & bivy system excels in the West, where dry & bug-free nights are the norm. It's ultralight & compact, but not appealing to all.
I like a tarp and bivy setup for the american west and have used a similar setup for thousands of miles. It can be a little nerve-wracking to start with though, as thoughts of worst case scenarios go through your mind in the days before a trip.