Crossword Genius

Climber’s aid is fiddle around slope (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

crampon

'climber's aid' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'fiddle around slope' is the wordplay.
'fiddle' becomes 'con' (both can mean a scam).
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'slope' becomes 'ramp' (I've seen this before).
'con' enclosing 'ramp' is 'CRAMPON'.

'is' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for crampon that I've seen before include "Climber's aid" , "Grappling-iron" , "Climber's boot spikes" , "helps climber on ice" , "Spiked plate for a climbing boot" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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