Crossclimb 858 Answer & Solution Guide
Answer: LUKE LEIA
Puzzle Overview
Today's Crossclimb puzzle #858 starts with LUKE and ends with LEIA. The theme clue asks for two children of Darth Vader, which points directly to Luke and Leia.
The five middle answers are LUTE, LATE, LATS, LETS, and LEIS. Each answer changes one letter from the previous rung while moving from LUKE to LEIA.
Complete Word Ladder
| Position | Word | Clue |
|---|---|---|
| Top | LUKE | First name in the final theme pair |
| 1 | LUTE | Renaissance string instrument (adding an F to the start forms the name of a wind instrument) |
| 2 | LATE | Not on time |
| 3 | LATS | Muscles in the lower back, for short |
| 4 | LETS | Allows, or rents out a property |
| 5 | LEIS | Flowery garlands used in hula dancing |
| Bottom | LEIA | Second name in the final theme pair |
Player Solution Walkthrough
Step 1: Understanding the Puzzle
The theme clue says the top and bottom rows are two children of Darth Vader. LUKE and LEIA are the expected pair, so the endpoints provide a clear Star Wars frame for the ladder.
Step 2: Starting from the Top
"Renaissance string instrument" is LUTE. It follows LUKE by changing only the third letter, making it the first middle rung.
Step 3: Building the Middle
"Not on time" gives LATE. From there, "muscles in the lower back, for short" points to LATS.
Step 4: Reaching the Bottom
"Allows, or rents out a property" is LETS. The final middle clue, "Flowery garlands used in hula dancing," gives LEIS, which sets up the last one-letter change into LEIA.
Step 5: Answer
The full ladder is:
LUKE -> LUTE -> LATE -> LATS -> LETS -> LEIS -> LEIA
That makes the final answer LUKE LEIA.
Word Reference
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| LUKE | Luke Skywalker, one of Darth Vader's children |
| LUTE | A plucked string instrument common in Renaissance music |
| LATE | Delayed, behind schedule, or not on time |
| LATS | Short for latissimus dorsi muscles in the back |
| LETS | Allows something, or rents property to someone |
| LEIS | Flower garlands associated with Hawaiian celebrations and hula |
| LEIA | Leia Organa, one of Darth Vader's children |
FAQ
Q1: What is the answer to Crossclimb 858?
The answer is LUKE LEIA.
Q2: What is the full word ladder?
The full ladder is LUKE -> LUTE -> LATE -> LATS -> LETS -> LEIS -> LEIA.
Q3: How many middle answers are there?
There are five middle answers: LUTE, LATE, LATS, LETS, and LEIS.
Q4: Why does LUKE LEIA fit the clue?
Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa are the two children of Darth Vader, matching the theme clue.
Q5: What is the trickiest clue?
LUTE may be the trickiest clue because it relies on knowing a Renaissance instrument and includes an extra hint about adding F to make "flute."
Strategy Tips
- Use pop-culture theme clues to lock in the endpoints quickly.
- Check every neighboring pair for a single-letter difference.
- Solve short direct clues first, such as LATE.
- Watch for abbreviations like LATS in anatomy clues.
- Confirm the last middle word connects cleanly to the bottom word before entering the final answer.