Do you feel that the Golite will adequately protect you? If I decide to use that shelter in the desert it will be just that. no bivy. So I'd want to feel at least some what protected from splash back.

In all honesty it may just come down to me carrying the same shelter the whole way, which is unfortunate in the desert so hopefully I can pin down another viable option.
I know I can get my hands on a large enough tarp, but I do like the added bonus of the poncho/tarps because it sheds the 10 oz. or so that my rain gear takes up.

Brian,
I think the contrail is looking like my favorite 1 man shelter at the moment. Fast set up and tear down is something I am really interested in, and it would be cool to save weight by using hiking pole support as I do hike with poles.