Some of the stocks sought by mountaineers (8)
I believe the answer is:
foothold
'stocks sought by mountaineers' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'some of the' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is present in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for foothold that I've seen before include "Small area captured and held as the basis for subsequent advance" , "Secure position from which progress can be made" , "Purchase" , "Initial position from which to make progress" , "Secure first position" .)