LinkedIn Crossclimb answer for Friday, September 4: #857
LinkedIn Crossclimb #857 is the puzzle for Friday, September 4, 2026: a seven-rung word ladder, five clues and one clue shared by the top and bottom rungs.
Updated 1:08 PM PT, Nov 7
Puzzle date Friday, September 4
The ladder, rung by rung
The two end words together name a soft, delicate tennis stroke that just clears the net, and one rung between is black residue left by fire.
Plant grown for human consumption
Crossclimb #857 clue 1: Plant grown for human consumption → CROP
CROP
A crop is a plant grown in large amounts, such as wheat or corn, to be eaten.
Where chickens live
Crossclimb #857 clue 2: Where chickens live → COOP
COOP
A coop is a small cage or house where chickens live.
Section of a roller coaster that may be particularly exciting or scary to ride around
Crossclimb #857 clue 3: Section of a roller coaster that may be particularly exciting or scary to ride around → LOOP
LOOP
A loop is a circular section of track on a roller coaster that turns riders upside down.
Treasure found in a dungeon
Crossclimb #857 clue 4: Treasure found in a dungeon → LOOT
LOOT
Loot is stolen or hidden treasure, like what a hero finds in a dungeon.
Black powder in a chimney
Crossclimb #857 clue 5: Black powder in a chimney → SOOT
SOOT
Soot is the black powder left by burning coal or wood, which collects in a chimney.
Top and bottom rungs
The top + bottom rows = A two-word phrase for a tennis stroke that lands the ball near the net. Keep in mind: The first word may be at the bottom.
Opens after the five rungs above.
DROPSHOT
“drop shot”
DROP sits at the top and is the first word in “drop shot”, with SHOT at the bottom as the second word.
DROP is the first word and SHOT the second, making “drop shot”, a tennis stroke that lands the ball just over the net.