Surmount

RESTON

Think of a Virginia town that sounds like it could mean "remain after climbing."

"Surmount" hints at something you overcome or rise above, but here it’s a playful nudge toward "REST ON" (as in taking a break after climbing). The answer drops the space to become "RESTON," which also happens to be the name of a town in Virginia. The clue cleverly misdirects by framing it as a verb while the solution is a proper noun hiding in plain sight.