Agile climber to stand around base of Everest (7)

I believe the answer is:

bearcat

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'agile climber' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'stand around base of everest' is the wordplay.
'stand' becomes 'bear' (both can mean to tolerate or endure).
'around' becomes 'ca' (circa).
'base of' suggests the final letters.
The final letter of 'everest' is 't'.
'bear'+'ca'+'t'='BEARCAT'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bearcat that I've seen before include "Animal" , "Cabaret (anag) - red panda" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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