LinkedIn Crossclimb answer for Thursday, September 17: #870
LinkedIn Crossclimb #870 is the puzzle for Thursday, September 17, 2026: a seven-rung word ladder, five clues and one clue shared by the top and bottom rungs.
Updated 12:18 PM PT, Nov 7
Puzzle date Thursday, September 17
The ladder, rung by rung
The two end words describe a rule that is firmly fixed, and one rung in between is the top of your body.
Group of cattle
Crossclimb #870 clue 1: Group of cattle → HERD
HERD
A herd is a group of cattle.
“Hit the nail on the ___”
Crossclimb #870 clue 2: “Hit the nail on the ___” → HEAD
HEAD
You “hit the nail on the head” means to get something exactly right.
Make warm
Crossclimb #870 clue 3: Make warm → HEAT
HEAT
To heat something is to make it warm.
Impressive achievement requiring a fair amount of skill
Crossclimb #870 clue 4: Impressive achievement requiring a fair amount of skill → FEAT
FEAT
A feat is an impressive achievement that takes real skill.
Gathering or celebration (often used as a suffix, as after Oktober)
Crossclimb #870 clue 5: Gathering or celebration (often used as a suffix, as after Oktober) → FEST
FEST
Fest is a suffix for a gathering or celebration, as in Oktoberfest.
Top and bottom rungs
The top + bottom rows = Two words that complete the idiom “a ___ and ___ rule” meaning something that is fixed and cannot easily be changed. Keep in mind: The first word may be at the bottom.
Opens after the five rungs above.
HARDFAST
HARD answers one half of the idiom: a rule that is firm and not easily changed is a hard rule.
FAST answers the other half of the idiom: a fast rule is one that is fixed and cannot be changed.