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Can’t believe I’m the first to post something, as I’m newish here; maybe everyone else has just polished it off! And I have checked it’s not a duplicate thread.
Anyway, a most enjoyable puzzle but I’m stuck on 17dn. A nudge in the right direction would be really helpful. I do have all the intersecting across solutions.
Thanks In Advance

Climbing indicates a reversal, the mountain is a S. African term more commonly associated with big chunks of ice, morning and hot the usual abbreviations

Shouldn't 6 down be "trios" rather than "trio"?

No, correct for the trio collectively according to Chambers.

Yes, you’re right. Should have checked before posting 😳

You people are a lot smarter than me because I am stumped! I have a few across solutions and if I am right, that means a down entry ending in V. I don’t want to spoil anyone else’s fun, but could you confirm that the down grid entries (whatever it is I am supposed to do with them!) are not real words?

Thank you

I’ve just registered and like you I have a number of answers but no idea of what exactly is going on. I suspect like you the downs are not real words. I also have the v ending

You’re right, the down entries aren’t real words. There is a hint in part of the perimeter of the grid, as mentioned in the rubric.

Yes, just to say that the down clue letters aren't cycled, they are anagrams but in a certain structured way. I noticed the way before I saw the message from the across clues.

18a Theologian to suffer without Rhone wine (6) D?V?N? if it's "divine" how does that parse please?

5d Guy noted for sax reported noted for sacks (7)