Slopers are rounded climbing holds, usually big and blobby. Many beginner climbers will not know how to climb slopers or even what they are--and once they learn, they might avoid them, but slopers ...

I confess: I used to resent slopers. Perfect circles, rounded aretes, open-handed jugs, the topouts of boulders—you name it. Every few times that I slapped, grabbed, or hung on for dear life from ...