LinkedIn CrossClimb #641 Solution: January 31, 2026 - Climb from WIRE to BARK!

CrossClimb on LinkedIn is the ultimate word ladder puzzle that challenges your vocabulary and logic. In CrossClimb #641 (published January 31, 2026), start at the bottom and climb to the top by changing one letter at a time. Solve the middle clues to reveal the compound question: a two-word phrase for places to order glasses of Merlot or Pinot. Let's break it down step by step with full reasoning—no spoilers until you're ready!

CrossClimb Basics: How the Word Ladder Works

Each rung is a 4-letter word. Clues guide you, but the real puzzle is sequencing them so exactly one letter changes between steps. Solved middles unlock top/bottom words forming a clever phrase. Pro tip: Tackle easy clues first, then swap letters logically.

Step-by-Step Solution for CrossClimb #641

Hint 1: Send funds electronically between banks

The straightforward answer is WIRE. This refers to a wire transfer, a common banking term for electronic money movement. Positions it perfectly at the ladder base: W-I-R-E.

Hint 2: Swamp; bog

Change one letter from WIRE to get MIRE. Swap the first 'W' to 'M': M-I-R-E. A mire is exactly a swampy bog—classic word ladder fit!

Hint 3: Filly’s mom

From MIRE, alter the first letter to 'M' stays? Wait, tweak the second: M-A-R-E, that's MARE. A mare is a female horse, or filly's mom. Sequence: MIRE → MARE (I to A).

Hint 4: Word that can follow "punctuation", "exclamation", or "question"

Next rung: MARE → MARK. Swap E to K: M-A-R-K. MARK completes phrases like punctuation mark, exclamation mark, question mark. Seamless one-letter shift!

Hint 5: Sound from an excited pup

Climb to the top: MARK → BARK. Change first 'M' to 'B': B-A-R-K. BARK is the classic dog sound from an excited pup. Full ladder locked in!

Bottom → Top Ladder:
BARK
MARK
MARE
MIRE
WIRE

Compound Question Unlocked: Places to Order Glasses of Merlot or Pinot

With the ladder complete (WIRE-MIRE-MARE-MARK-BARK), reveal the top and bottom answers: WINE BARS. Perfect two-word phrase—wine bars are spots to sip Merlot or Pinot Noir. Genius compound twist!

Top: WINE
Middle Ladder: WIRE → MIRE → MARE → MARK → BARK
Bottom: BARS

Tips to Crush Future LinkedIn CrossClimb Puzzles

• Spot Obvious Clues First: WIRE and BARK jump out—anchor them.
• One-Letter Rule is King: Test swaps systematically (e.g., WIRE to ?IRE).
• Theme Hunt: Clues often link thematically, like horse (MARE) to mark (punctuation).
• Practice Daily: Builds vocab for LinkedIn games like CrossClimb, Pinpoint, Tango.

Congrats on solving LinkedIn CrossClimb #641! Share your time in comments. Bookmark for daily LinkedIn CrossClimb answers, Queens, Sudoku solutions. Play now on LinkedIn and level up your puzzle game!