[pct-l] Backpacks - REI Flash

[Mark Hudson]

I think its a decent pack for the money, however the wife and I tried on 
the pack in REI and it didnt fit as well as the Exos.

For the small money difference, we went with the Osprey.



On 11/7/2010 8:26 PM, Shawn Hudson wrote:
> Saw that someone was talking about the Flash 65. For women, there is also
> the Flash 50, which is what my fiancée  has. It's the perfect size for a
> thru-hike. Not too big, not too small. If you can stop in the store to check
> it out, go for it.
>
> - "Voodoo"
>
> On Mon, Nov 8, 2010 at 12:45 PM,<pct-l-request at backcountry.net>  wrote:
>
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>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>    1. Re: Wait, what is the 411 on REI Flash?
>>       (Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes)
>>    2. Oregon Photos (Phil Baily)
>>    3. Cactus to Clouds (Paul A)
>>    4. Gear for late spring snow? (Jeff Davis)
>>    5. Re: Wait, what is the 411 on REI Flash? (Tortoise)
>>    6. Re: Bikes on PCT- alternative enforcement idea (Tortoise)
>>    7. Re: Gear for late spring snow? (Jim&  Jane Moody)
>>    8. So Brick... (tokencivilian at yahoo.com)
>>    9. Re: Oregon Photos (John Abela)
>>   10. Re: So Brick... (Brick Robbins)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2010 15:29:10 -0800
>> From: Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes<diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Wait, what is the 411 on REI Flash?
>> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>> Message-ID:
>>         <1B9A209D-EF31-4F3C-B911-EAA1A6275752 at santabarbarahikes.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
>>
>> A big pack (in volume) is not such a bad thing to have if you are
>> planning a thru-hike or a hike longer than a month or so. That extra
>> space may just come in handy for food. I had a Gossamer Gear G4 which
>> is something like 4000 cu inches. Way too big just for my gear, but
>> add my food and I barely could pull the drawstring at the top closed.
>> On Nov 7, 2010, at 2:51 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>>
>>> Hey Ashley,
>>> ?
>>> I have an REI Flash 65 and it works for me. It's a little over 2lbs
>>> or something and is really very comfortable-- more comfortable
>>> (IMO) than the other packs REI has to offer. There is way too much
>>> space for me, but I'm sure that's not a huge problem. I wanted the
>>> lifetime warranty, so the Flash is what I'm sticking to for now.
>>> ?
>>> Glad you asked, because I'm interested in hearing other's opinions
>>> as well!
>>> Whitnee
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 2
>> Date: Sun, 07 Nov 2010 16:06:14 -0800
>> From: "Phil Baily"<pkbaily at verizon.net>
>> Subject: [pct-l] Oregon Photos
>> To:<pct-l at backcountry.net>
>> Message-ID:<C94FAD105C7C45E2BF4AB4CF4296C3C7 at PHIL>
>> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> I have recently posted photos taken in Oregon Section B at
>> www.philhikes.org.
>>
>> Pieces
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 3
>> Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2010 16:32:23 -0800
>> From: Paul A<alphabetsoupmmm at gmail.com>
>> Subject: [pct-l] Cactus to Clouds
>> To: Pct-L at backcountry.net
>> Message-ID:
>>         <AANLkTinqNWmM3YEsEmmkwrjQSBMF51QDjiWORX4_QAYW at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>>
>> Has anyone in this community ever hiked the Cactus to Clouds Trail up the
>> east face of Mt San Jacinto? I am thinking about attempting it after the
>> PCT
>> next year. Would love to hear about the experience.
>>
>> paul
>>
>> --
>> The truly simple life exists within the zippers of my backpack, powered by
>> my own legs, burning only natural fuel, leaving no trace that I was ever
>> there.
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 4
>> Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2010 11:34:05 -0800
>> From: "Jeff Davis"<jeffd1242 at fairpoint.net>
>> Subject: [pct-l] Gear for late spring snow?
>> To:<pct-l at backcountry.net>
>> Message-ID:<42C64041AEB54C7E9F2A00CF125053B0 at JeffPC>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>>         reply-type=original
>>
>> ?I managed Oregon and Washington this year so it's time to do the whole
>> thing.  Right now I'm worrying about gear for snow in California and would
>> like to know what the list thinks after dealing with the late snow of 2010.
>> More specifically:
>>
>> Is an ice axe necessary?  I've got a mountaineering background and am very
>> familiar with self-arrest.  I could use a trekking pole to stop on fairly
>> steep slopes if they're not really icy.
>>
>> Are running crampons like Kahtoola Microspikes effective or should I go
>> with
>> lightweight regular crampons (or maybe with none)?
>>
>> Running shoes versus light boots for snowy sections?
>>
>> Grendel
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 5
>> Date: Sun, 07 Nov 2010 17:45:56 -0800
>> From: Tortoise<Tortoise73 at charter.net>
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Wait, what is the 411 on REI Flash?
>> To: Whitnee Goode<whitneegoode at yahoo.com>
>> Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
>> Message-ID:<4CD75654.6010600 at charter.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>>
>> Really hard for me to compare my ULA Catalyst with the REI Flash from just
>> the info on REI website. Just from what I can get from the website, with
>> the Flash the waist belt is permanently fastened to the pack so one cannot
>> get a pack based on one's torso and a waist belt based on one's girth which
>> I needed and is more adaptable to the individual. But the ULA flexibility
>> also incurs a weight penalty.
>>
>> Maybe when I'm going by an REI store I'll stop in and take a look.
>>
>> Tortoise
>>
>> <>  Because truth matters!<>
>>
>> On 11/07/10 11:12, Whitnee Goode wrote:
>>> Hey Ashley,
>>>
>>> I have an REI Flash 65 and it works for me. It's a little over 2lbs or
>> something and is really very comfortable-- more comfortable (IMO) than the
>> other packs REI has to offer. There is way too much space for me, but I'm
>> sure that's not a huge problem. I wanted the lifetime warranty, so the Flash
>> is what I'm sticking to for now.
>>> Glad you asked, because I'm interested in hearing other's opinions as
>> well!
>>> Whitnee
>>>
>>> --- On Sun, 11/7/10, Ashley Lowe<alowe8 at hotmail.com>   wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> From: Ashley Lowe<alowe8 at hotmail.com>
>>> Subject: [pct-l] Wait, what is the 411 on REI Flash?
>>> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>>> Date: Sunday, November 7, 2010, 10:30 AM
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi guys,Was reading an old post on backpacks and I came across someone
>> talking about REI Flash. Hadn't heard about that one. I've been debating
>> over new packs for a while, looking between ULA and such but then this REI
>> Flash pops up and its cheap and I can maybe swap it for my present REI
>> backpack.... just interested in thoughts.Ashley
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 6
>> Date: Sun, 07 Nov 2010 17:46:52 -0800
>> From: Tortoise<Tortoise73 at charter.net>
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bikes on PCT- alternative enforcement idea
>> To: Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes<diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
>> Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
>> Message-ID:<4CD7568C.4050000 at charter.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>>
>> Well put.
>>
>> Tortoise
>>
>> <>  Because truth matters!<>
>>
>> On 11/07/10 11:24, Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes wrote:
>>> On Nov 7, 2010, at 9:56 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>>>
>>>> Bikes on PCT- alternative enforcement idea
>>> Bicyclists are already allowed on the PCT for the full length. They
>>> are simply required to leave their bicycles at home. There are other
>>> trails where they can ride their bicycles. The PCT is for walking.
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Pct-L mailing list
>>> Pct-L at backcountry.net
>>> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
>>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>>>
>>> List Archives:
>>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 7
>> Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 02:04:26 +0000 (UTC)
>> From: Jim&  Jane Moody<moodyjj at comcast.net>
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Gear for late spring snow?
>> To: Jeff Davis<jeffd1242 at fairpoint.net>
>> Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
>> Message-ID:
>>         <
>> 722114779.693969.1289181866120.JavaMail.root at sz0094a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>>
>>
>>
>> Here we go again.? The answers to all your questions are "yes".
>>
>>
>>
>> I'm an old guy whose only mountaineering experience was at Mtn Ned's Snow
>> School in December.? I?have hiked the AT, however, so I wasn't a complete
>> neophyte.
>>
>>
>>
>> Here's what I did.? I switched from sneakers, aka trail runners, to fairly
>> sturdy boots (Garmont Synchros) at Kennedy Meadows.? I didn't have crampons
>> till after Forester Pass, w hen th e rest of my group told me they thought I
>> was endangering myself and them without them.? I bought a pair of Kahtoolas
>> in Lone Pine , and I'm glad I did.? I wore them infrequently, but when I
>> wore them, they really helped with traction.? By the way, 4 of our group of
>> 6 wore sneakers.? The other wore boots, which were lighter than mine.? If
>> and when I do it again, I will wear boots from Lone Pine (Horseshoe Meadows,
>> south of Forester Pass) to at least Sonora Pass.? They gave me stability on
>> snow (especially on traverses) and on stream crossings.? Yes, th ey got
>> wet.? Yes, they were slow to dry.? So what! ? And y es, they froze at night,
>> but when I remembered to loosen up the laces a lot, I could still get them
>> on fairly easily.
>>
>>
>>
>> As to ice axes, we all carried one north of KM.? A very valuable piece of
>> gear for conditions we faced this year - self-belaying, rudder when
>> glissading, digging catholes, holding up tent lines, self-arrest, etc.? If
>> 2011 is anything like 2010, I definitely recommend carrying your ice axe
>> from south of Forester.? You might also need it in the San Jacintos above
>> Idlewild (Apache Peak, South Peak, Fuller Ridge).
>>
>>
>>
>> Good luck and have a great hike.
>>
>> Mango
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Jeff Davis"<jeffd1242 at fairpoint.net>
>> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>> Sent: Sunday, November 7, 2010 2:34:05 PM
>> Subject: [pct-l] Gear for late spring snow?
>>
>> ?I managed Oregon and Washington this year so it's time to do the whole
>> thing. ?Right now I'm worrying about gear for snow in California and would
>> like to know what the list thinks after dealing with the late snow of 2010.
>> More specifically:
>>
>> Is an ice axe necessary? ?I've got a mountaineering background and am very
>> familiar with self-arrest. ?I could use a trekking pole to stop on fairly
>> steep slopes if they're not really icy.
>>
>> Are running crampons like Kahtoola Microspikes effective or should I go
>> with
>> lightweight regular crampons (or maybe with none)?
>>
>> Running shoes versus light boots for snowy sections?
>>
>> Grendel
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 8
>> Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 03:31:24 +0000
>> From: tokencivilian at yahoo.com
>> Subject: [pct-l] So Brick...
>> To: "PCT L"<pct-l at backcountry.net>
>> Message-ID:
>>
>>   <1197606706-1289187086-cardhu_decombobulator_blackberry.rim.net-2007362187- at bda089.bisx.prod.on.blackberry
>> Content-Type: text/plain
>>
>> "those who shall not be mentioned" (my words and scare quotes) are engaged
>> in an ongoing campaign, via their powerful user group, the IBM-A or
>> something like that (slightly off, but close enough,) to open the trail to
>> uses that would clearly destroy its character as THE premiere long distance
>> hiking trail.  How is this not on topic?  How is making everyone aware of
>> this threat to the trail and discussing it not productive?  How is
>> discussing methods of preserving this unique trail from said threat off
>> topic?
>>
>> The clowns won't stop until they can engage in their chosen activity
>> everywhere - wilderness, the PCT, you name the trail that isn't open to
>> their preferred mode of transport.  Simply put, they're selfish children -
>> gimme, gimme, gimme and don't care how many others must suffer the
>> destruction of what makes the PCT and wilderness unique to get what they
>> want.  Those of us who want to preserve and steward the trail and wilderness
>> so that future generations can have a taste of wildness, of a connection to
>> the past, of the ways before everything mechanization took over the world,
>> in discussing this threat to the trail are off topic?  Sir, I would suggest
>> that it is more on topic than a substantial fraction of the list traffic.
>> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 9
>> Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2010 19:32:52 -0800
>> From: John Abela<pacificcresttrail2011 at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Oregon Photos
>> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>> Message-ID:
>>         <AANLkTikxY=1Qkwq30Vi-oHfHO-Z_3gk4239Cd-HTP7wV at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>>
>> Nice, thanks for sharing!
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 4:06 PM, Phil Baily<pkbaily at verizon.net>  wrote:
>>
>>> I have recently posted photos taken in Oregon Section B at
>>> www.philhikes.org.
>>>
>>> Pieces
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Pct-L mailing list
>>> Pct-L at backcountry.net
>>> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
>>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>>>
>>> List Archives:
>>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 10
>> Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2010 19:45:56 -0800
>> From: Brick Robbins<brick at brickrobbins.com>
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] So Brick...
>> To: tokencivilian at yahoo.com
>> Cc: PCT L<pct-l at backcountry.net>
>> Message-ID:
>>         <AANLkTimSiZJaWJ1Q0wZofU8F1k4pY1+7bWbVKOYoX9jx at mail.gmail.com<AANLkTimSiZJaWJ1Q0wZofU8F1k4pY1%2B7bWbVKOYoX9jx at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>>
>> I don't really have any issues with discussing protecting the trail
>> from bikes, or any other threat.
>>
>> The problem was a pro mountain bike Troll who has subscribed under at
>> least two different addresses, and I assume is still subscribed under
>> a third.
>>
>> I don't want the list to degenerate into a flame war caused the Troll.
>>
>> That is all.
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 7:31 PM,<tokencivilian at yahoo.com>  wrote:
>>> "those who shall not be mentioned" (my words and scare quotes) are
>> engaged in an ongoing campaign, via their powerful user group, the IBM-A or
>> something like that (slightly off, but close enough,) to open the trail to
>> uses that would clearly destroy its character as THE premiere long distance
>> hiking trail. ?How is this not on topic? ?How is making everyone aware of
>> this threat to the trail and discussing it not productive? ?How is
>> discussing methods of preserving this unique trail from said threat off
>> topic?
>>> The clowns won't stop until they can engage in their chosen activity
>> everywhere - wilderness, the PCT, you name the trail that isn't open to
>> their preferred mode of transport. ?Simply put, they're selfish children -
>> gimme, gimme, gimme and don't care how many others must suffer the
>> destruction of what makes the PCT and wilderness unique to get what they
>> want. ?Those of us who want to preserve and steward the trail and wilderness
>> so that future generations can have a taste of wildness, of a connection to
>> the past, of the ways before everything mechanization took over the world,
>> in discussing this threat to the trail are off topic? ?Sir, I would suggest
>> that it is more on topic than a substantial fraction of the list traffic.
>>> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Pct-L mailing list
>>> Pct-L at backcountry.net
>>> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
>>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>>>
>>> List Archives:
>>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Pct-L mailing list
>> Pct-L at backcountry.net
>> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
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>>
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>>
>>
>> End of Pct-L Digest, Vol 35, Issue 43
>> *************************************
>>
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