Crossword Genius

Abseil at the centre, shortly climbing ropes (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rappel

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'abseil' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'at the centre shortly climbing ropes' is the wordplay.
'at' says to put letters next to each other.
'the centre' indicates the central letters.
'climbing ropes' becomes 'appel' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
The middle letter of 'shortly' is 'r'.
'r' put next to 'appel' is 'RAPPEL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rappel that I've seen before include "Abseil" , "going down" , "abseiling" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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