In the following passage some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given.
Passage:

The sky was always a deep sapphire blue. The snow washard and only by cutting steps in ...........(1) we were able towalk. A false move would have been ..............(2) . Stopping at every step, .............(3) on our axes, wetried to ..............(4) down our hearts, which were ...........(5) as though they would burst.