I am planning a 5 person, 5 day trip to GSMNP in April 2016. We'll be bring a BA CS UL4 & a UL3 as our shelters. I figured on rain, at least part of the time and was leaning towards purchasing a large flat tarp. We could use it as a common area for cooking and socializing while around a campfire. I am toying back and forth between cuben fiber and silnylon, kinda leaning towards CF since it's so darn light, but so darn expensive.
I thought a 8.5x11 would be adequate for the task and have been looking at Zpack's version. In the meantime, I am contemplating a CT thru hike in June/July 2016 and started thinking about a tarp as a primary shelter. I have no tarp experience other than painting, but I love to tinker with new gear/skills.
I read in another thread a recommendation for a shaped tarp for an inexperienced user. Pretty sure it wouldn't be great for my group application.
So, is the 8.5x11 too big for a single person shelter, especially in a high alpine environment? Is the art of pitching a flat tarp overly difficult or more a function of practicing/site selection etc? Any other vendors I should be looking at?
And, anything else I am missing.