Dont know your feelings on Shimano, but I had the M810 SS its was awesome. If I ever get a bike with gears Im deff putting one on. But Im sure for the money XX is great.
It's not too steep in terms of elevation here. 1x10 is good enough for me and I don't ask much for climbing. I can get up most of the hills around here which are to me tech because they lay them out with rocks and roots in the way so there is some track standing involved while climbing. Other than that, I just grab momentum before a climb and go for it. Hardly have to walk up hills in some trails.