Crossword Genius

Payment before mountain ascent (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ante

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

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ante that I've seen before include "Pay" , "Preceding birth" , "'Behind, before (4)'" , "Money put at risk" , "Money for poker" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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