| MOUNTAINEER | One who encounters the last parts of 17-, 29- and 45-Across on a climb |
| MOUNTAINCLIMBER | One who encounters the last parts of the answers to the starred clues on the way up |
| ALICE | Girl who encounters the Cheshire Cat |
| ANTE | 45-Across on the table, maybe |
| POINT | Be a director, in a way, and what can follow the last parts of 17-, 29-, 36-, 43-, and 59-Across |
| TAILS | Dogs are entering narrow gap on a climb |
| APEX | Old man on a climb, surmounting former peak (4) |
| FIRSTBASE | Where the second parts of 17-, 29- and 46-Across might get you |
| HALL | Word that can follow the last parts of 17-, 29-, 43- and 57-Across |
| USATODAYSECTION | One can be found at the starts of 17-, 29- and 45- Across |
| REMAINNEUTER | In 2.3, the Duke of Hereford encounters the Duke of York near Berkeley. After much discussion of sovereignty and laying claims to the throne, what does the Duke of York do? |
| GUNS | Shooters, and a word that can follow the last parts of 17-, 40- and 64- Across and 11and 30- Down |
| CARDS | Word that can follow the last parts of 17- and 52- Across and 11- and 25- |
| HUFFANDPUFF | Catch your breath, or what the subject of this puzzle (found at the start of 17-, 29- and 45-Across) |
| FIRESTARTER | 1980 Stephen King novel ... or a hint to the beginnings of 17-, 29- and 45-Across |
| THOUTOAD | In 4.4, Richard, who is now king, encounters the Duchess and Queen Elizabeth. The Duchess asks, "Where is thy brother Clarence?" She uses a perjorative phrase. What is that phrase? |
| PCKEYBOARD | Place to see part of 17-, 29- and 45-Across |
| COMPOSTBIN | Eco-friendly container that may hold the ends of 17-, 29- and 45-Across |
| COCAINEBEAR | 2023 movie starring Keri Russell as a woman who encounters a rampaging forest animal: 2 wds. |
| DRESSING | Word that can follow the last parts of 17-, 26-, 36- and 50- |
