5 Limestone Mini Slopers (Sets 1 through 3)

Overview

Below is a video comparing all three sizes of mini, medium, and large limestone slopers:

The limestone texture of these climbing holds significantly influences how you grip them, especially sets #2 and #3. The intricate details on the landing areas and various realistic-feeling thumb catches provide just enough purchase to help you maintain your grip on these very slopey sets. Like climbing on natural rock, the challenge lies in exploring the nooks and crannies.

When setting, we found that you can rotate the holds to achieve unique finger placements, such as trigger-finger catches and thumb-scums. On many of the holds, applying more pressure to specific fingers rather than simply overgripping to stay on became apparent. For example, on one of our test problems, we used maximum pressure with our index finger, while the remaining three fingers took the more traditional open-handed sloper grip.

These mini slopers are designed in packs of five and are best suited for intermediate to advanced climbers looking to create challenging boulder problems and routes. 

Set #1 is the most positive, with a neutral to 10-degree slope. It is excellent for beginners to experience slopers on vertical walls. For the more advanced climber, it yields V3 on 25-degree walls. On a 45-degree wall, V6 is what to expect when setting ladder-like moves. We found that we could achieve no less than V7 on any dynamic moves and often migrated to orienting the holds in compression moves, which are more akin to pinchy side-pulls.

Set #2  is substantially slopier than Set #1, with landing areas sloping in the 10-degree to 30-degree range. This makes for an intermediate-level climber on vertical walls and an advanced climber on anything steeper. Expect V3 on vertical walls and V5 on 25-degree overhanging walls.

Set #3 is the slopiest set, ranging from 25-degree sloping to 35-degree sloping. Most climbers, except advanced ones, can not climb on holds of this difficulty.  Setting these holds on volumes that reduce the angle of the wall opens up opportunities for intermediate climbers. This set should not be considered for beginners, and most intermediate climbers will struggle. Expect V4 to 5.12 on vertical walls, V7+ on 25-degree walls, and cannot be used in 45-degree terrain unless on volumes.

• SIZE: The average hold measures 4" wide x 3" tall x 1-3/8 to 1-1/2" standing off the wall.
• Set #1 on vertical walls feels V2, and on a 25-degree wall feels V3.
• Set #2 on vertical walls feels V3, and on a 25-degree wall feels V5+.
• Set #3 on vertical walls feels V4 to 5.12, and on a 25-degree wall feels V7+. 
• Texture: Atomik 1.5 features a detailed, rock-like feel.