The Christmas present my wife ordered for me ( REI Flash 30) was destroyed by UPS and they are currently not in production any longer so if anybody happens to go by a REI retail store or outlet and spots one in size large (prefer grey) please let me know which store so I can call them.
It would be greatly appreciated and a huge favor.
Thanks.

looks like they've got them listed again on the outlet.

http://www.rei.com/product/830305/rei-flash-30-pack-special-buy

the price isn't a steal, but if you want the pack, here's your shot.

I saw one in-store today. I had one Ordered when they were clearanced and sent to the store, but they had some in stock apparently.

Anyways, the girl helping me was trying to sell me some huge pack and kept ignoring the fact that I had already bought the Flash 30. She also looked at me like I was either lying, crazy, or an idiot when I told her I had a base weight under 10lbs. For whatever reason, she kept trying to sell me anything but the Flash when she learned I was going to use it for weekend adventures. I also apparently didn't know how to fit a pack or choose appropriate gear for backpacking. Oh well. She was trying to help, I guess.

Unless the salesperson has some firsthand experience with UL gear -- both her training and her own experience will likely point to the need to be prepared for anything out there... as well as the need for all gear pieces to withstand any punishment that Mother Nature can mete out.

Buying gear at REI for my virgin hiking trip back in 2004, I was told that 40 lbs. was about as light as one can go for an overnighter and still be safe / prepared.

I have camped overnight with people who lug 90lbs! After stacking wood for a campfire, he poured a full quart of lighter fluid for "easy start". Absolutely amazing... although we should remind ourselves that "traditional backpacking" is still the norm out there -- esp. for overnighters and weekenders.

Travis wrote, "Anyways, the girl helping me was trying to sell me some huge pack and kept ignoring the fact that I had already bought the Flash 30. She also looked at me like I was either lying, crazy, or an idiot when I told her I had a base weight under 10lbs. For whatever reason, she kept trying to sell me anything but the Flash when she learned I was going to use it for weekend adventures. I also apparently didn't know how to fit a pack or choose appropriate gear for backpacking. Oh well. She was trying to help, I guess."

I was in the Seattle Flagship store and wandering around the pack section. It was midday and one clerk was training a newbie clerk on pack fitting. What I caught of the conversation was accurate enough, but the trainee was to be the expert for the next person to ask for assistance with packs. Those green REI staff vests don't mean 20 years as a Rainer guide :) I'm sure most mean well.

Dale,
Yeah, She meant well. The part that caught me funny was that she kept trying to sell me something I didn't want, and that every suggestion was defaulted to the bigger, beefier, heavier packs.

In my REI Visa bill was a notice for the what I assume is the upcoming dividend sale. There is a coupon code (REWARDS20) valid from March 23rd to April 15 that will give you 20% off one item at both at REI and the Outlet.

49.93 becomes 39.94 for the Flash 30... if it sticks around that long.

Colin, I got my Flash 30 for $38 when they recently had a 22% off all REI brand items. I just got it today and am playing around with packing it. This is my smallest pack to date, and I couldn't go ANY smaller! It will hopefully be reserved for warm weather and short trips.

The REWARDS20 coupon works now. So everyone can spend their dividends

I have an old Flash (AKA UL JET?) and I cut off the top lid and sewed in two webbing straps that go over top and clip into the existing buckle on the bottom front. This allows me to now carry a little more than 30L and still cinch it down. It's really nothing more than a glorified tube of fabric with an open top. So far it works great. The pack is well over 5 years old but I like the idea so much I might do it again to another pack.

The way I avoid the REI sales people is grab the Bean bag weights out of the Bean bag drawer start helping myself in testing the packs out tell sales person I can handle it. When getting shoes and boots tell the sales person what sizes I need I lace them up myself and also put them back in the box like they pack them at the manufacture.

The sales people also leave me alone because I refuse to be a REI member ever since they opened in San Diego area 15 year ago. Tell them the only way I will become a member is if I get 5 to 10 % off at point of purchase instead of waiting for dividends each year. The membership should be Free like a grocery store.
Because REI lets anyone shop their I think in some states charging for membership to get a discount check at the end of the year and special sales for only registered members only is illegal. Now if REI only let members only shop their like Costco then it not illegal. My yearly Rei tirade is over.
Terry

Wow.... I just saw this post and called REI immediately and they had one in stock and even gave it to me for the original Holiday sale price of $39. from when I originally tried to purchase it since they had a note in their computer about my plight. Great customer service.

Really appreciate the heads up on this.....Thanks.

I'm pretty sure REI is a Co-op, at least nominally. You pay dues (do you even pay dues? I've just been using my parents membership) and get a dividend that represents your share of the profits. My local food co-op is the exact same way.