 Small-slope particle motion on a height graph

A particle constrained to the graph $z=h(x,y)$ has kinetic energy $m[|\dot{\mathbf{r}}{|}^2+(\nabla h\cdot \dot{\mathbf{r}}{)}^2]/2$ and potential energy $mgh$. For a gently varying graph and velocities for which its geometric kinetic correction is higher order, the leading Euler-Lagrange equations are the displayed planar gradient-force equations. Small slope alone at arbitrarily large speed or curvature does not justify discarding the normal inertial acceleration. For a radial height, the leading planar angular momentum is conserved, allowing an effective potential reduction.