Maria was relieved to reach the ranger station. The journey from her apartment to Big Trees usually took forty minutes but, on this occasion, lasted more than three hours. The snowplows had done their best but the storm – especially the wind – was gathering strength with every passing minute. Maria had passed three road accidents but fortunately police and paramedics were attending every one. March was only the third month of her first year as a ranger cadet and she suspected the storm might provide her sternest challenge yet.