Mountain Climbing

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Explanation only + Answers + Grid entries
Solution grid
The 20 letters (circled in the diagram) spell The Abominable Snowman.

Across

  • •
    COARSE (homophone)
  • •
    ST(RANGE)ST
  • •
    ENUMERATION (anag.)
  • •
    OPERA (anag.)
  • •
    UTAHANS (anag.)
  • •
    PLA + Z + A ("alp" rev.)
  • •
    GIRD(L)E (anag. + "L")
  • •
    DIALOGS (anag.)
  • •
    CAR(A)T
  • •
    BROW(n)
  • •
    CLIM(b) + AX
  • •
    RE(L)IC (anag. + "l")
  • •
    SIAM (hidden)
  • •
    STEAL (anag.)
  • •
    DEANS (anag.)
  • •
    NOTICED
  • •
    PINTO (anag.)
  • •
    GARC + ON (rev.)
  • •
    B(ALL)ED
  • •
    LOOM (first letters)
  • •
    APE + X

Down

  • 1.
    CU + T
  • 2.
    OAT + H (anag. + "h")
  • 3.
    ARARAT (hidden)
  • 4.
    SP(ACEM)AN ("came" anag.)
  • 5.
    EONS (anag.)
  • 6.
    TOP + I
  • 7.
    EL + BOW
  • 8.
    R + ILL
  • 9.
    NA(Z)I (anag. + "z")
  • 10.
    GRADIENT (anag.)
  • 11.
    SMILA + X (anag. + "x")
  • 12.
    TUR + N ("rut" rev.)
  • 13.
    END (hidden)
  • 14.
    GRID (anag. minus "e")
  • 15.
    AW(L)S (anag. + "l")
  • 16.
    B(ALB)OA
  • 17.
    L + AMINA ("anima" rev.)
  • 18.
    CADRE (anag.)
  • 19.
    I + GLOO(m)
  • 20.
    COL + ON
  • 21.
    DO + ME
  • 22.
    LAPS(e)
  • 23.
    MA(N)X