One solution-carry a tarp and a shovel and know how to use the shovel to make a shelter-either a quinzee or a snow cave. I've slept in a big snow cave, but it took a couple of hours with 6 or 7 of us digging it, as I recall. A snow cave will work great in a bad storm if you have it in the right place. That is the key. I don't think I'd try it on the PCT without some practice.

In good weather, you make yourself a little trench shelter and don't need the tarp. I did that up above Palm Springs last winter. BUT, the weather was perfect-no wind, absolutely clear.
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Don't get me started, you know how I get.