When entering the San Andres Rift Zone of the Angeles National Forest while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I thought that my main concerns would be the rattlesnakes, sun burn, dehydration, or spraining an ankle. No, it was the incredible amount of FLIES that was on my mind while hiking this section. Here I am practicing the art of zen to control my anxiety. Breaking for just a few minutes was enough for a party of over one hundred biting flies to try to dine on me.