LinkedIn CrossClimb #634 Solution: Step-by-Step Guide

Conquer today's LinkedIn CrossClimb puzzle (Question ID: 634, published January 24, 2026) with our detailed walkthrough. This word ladder game challenges you to guess five-letter words from clues, then chain them by changing one letter at a time, culminating in a compound biathlon question. Follow our logical reasoning to climb from start to finish!

Understanding CrossClimb Rules

In CrossClimb on LinkedIn, solve clues for words, rearrange rows into a ladder where each step differs by exactly one letter, then complete the top and bottom for the final combo clue. All must be valid words forming a smooth chain. Keywords: word ladder, one letter change, LinkedIn daily puzzles.

Hint 1: “Nothin’ but blue ___” (line from an Irving Berlin song that might describe sightings on a very clear day)

The Irving Berlin song "Blue Skies" gives the fill-in: SKIES. On a clear day, you see nothing but blue skies—perfect five-letter fit. This starts our ladder high up.

Hint 2: Moves by using one’s left foot twice, then one’s right foot twice, and so on

This describes a hopping motion: SKIPS. Change the third letter from I to I? Wait—from SKIES, swap the fourth letter E to P: SKI**P**S. Logical hopscotch-style movement.

Hint 3: Vessels in a navy

Naval boats are SHIPS. From SKIPS, change the second letter K to H: S**H**IPS. Classic naval term, one-letter shift keeps the ladder climbing.

Hint 4: Locations in a mall

Mall stores are SHOPS. From SHIPS, swap the fourth letter I to O: SHO**P**S? SHIPS to SH**O**PS (fourth letter I to O). Retail spots nailed.

Hint 5: Brushes off an insect, like a fly

To shoo away a pest: SHOOS. From SHOPS, change the fourth letter P to O: SHO**O**S. Precise insect dismissal.

Building the Word Ladder

Now reorder: Start with SKIES → SKIPS (E→P) → SHIPS (K→H) → SHOPS (I→O) → SHOOS (P→O). Each step one letter change—textbook CrossClimb!

SKIES
 ↓ (E→P)
SKIPS
 ↓ (K→H)
SHIPS
 ↓ (I→O)
SHOPS
 ↓ (P→O)
SHOOS

Compound Question: Two words associated with biathlon at the Winter Olympics

Once ladder unlocks, top: Kind of athlete traveling through snow between targets = SKIER (from SKIES, E→E? SKIES to SKI**E**R, but chain starts SKIER → SKIES (R→S). Bottom: What they do at each target = SHOOT (SHOOS to SHOO**T**, S→T).

Full chain: SKIER → SKIES → SKIPS → SHIPS → SHOPS → SHOOS → SHOOT. Biathlon: SKIer SHOOTs!

SKIER  (Biathlon athlete)
 ↓ (R→S)
SKIES
 ↓ (E→P)
SKIPS
 ↓ (K→H)
SHIPS
 ↓ (I→O)
SHOPS
 ↓ (P→O)
SHOOS
 ↓ (S→T)
SHOOT (Biathlon action)

Tips for Future LinkedIn CrossClimb Puzzles

• Guess broadly, test synonyms in ladder.
• Change one letter: Prioritize vowels, common words.
• Work from ends if stuck—biathlon clues hinted snow/ski and target action.
• Use game hints sparingly for reordering.

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