The shale slope was off-putting, but it wasn't nearly as dangerous as it looked, as she had discovered when Herd had first shown her the way.

Then he was gone, shambling clumsily down the shale slope and then across the dry stony soil to Wetchik's tent.

At 4,000 feet across, the canyon is nearly as wide as the Colorado River canyon, but these rugged shale slopes are softened by dense forest and, on that afternoon, further softened by the light snow.

On the other side the land fell away in a series of sculptured steps, Bare, weathered rock and loose shale slopes were dotted with hardy grasses and wildflowers.

Elionbel turned her head desperately searching the barren shale slopes without hope.

Thane slowed Stumble to a walk and began to pick his way across the first steep shale slope.

IN HIS haste to get back with the good news, Billin slipped on a shale slope and cut his hand severe- ly.

Start off, "pole, pole", behind Hubert, picking zigzag route up slippery shale slope.

The company left six dead on the hill and, carrying its wounded on improvised litters of ponchos and tree branches, it started down the shale slopes of the mountain in rain and darkness.

Without warning they were turning off, leaving the track behind, descending a steep shale slope, slipping in places.