Yep, give I'll take my auto for steep climbs over a manual any day. I've tried both ways, 12 years with 5 speed 4Runner (I figure that's over 200,000 shifts) and now over 3 years with my auto X. Going down steep inclines, well at least I can see where I'm sliding.
Both are OK off road, just depends how lazy you are and also how comfortable you would be with starting, stopping and starting again on very steep climbs with a clutch.

-Chris