How to Climb in Cairn – Investment Policy

In Cairn, climbing is essential to progress up Mount Kami. You directly control each of Aava’s limbs, carefully finding handholds and footholds to ascend. This guide will teach you how to climb effectively and offer tips to become a skilled climber in the game.

The Basics Of Climbing In Cairn

In Cairn, players climb by moving the chosen arm or leg with the Left Stick, aiming for holds like ledges or crevices. Then, they press Square (on PlayStation) or X (on Xbox) to have Aava place her hand or foot on that hold.

Aava will climb by repeatedly moving each limb, and the game will automatically decide the order based on her balance and how much weight each limb is holding. But you can also choose which limb to move yourself, which is helpful for reaching specific spots or ledges.

All Climbing Controls In Cairn

Although you’ll spend a lot of time simply moving and positioning your character’s limbs, remember that Cairn has many other ways to control climbing.

Name	PlayStation	Xbox	PC
Move Limb	L3	LS	WASD
Place Limb	Square	X	LMB
Choose Limb	R1	RB	Space
Cancel Last Move	Circle	B	RMB
Reach Further	Hold L3	Hold LS	WASD
Jump Down	Hold Circle	Hold B	Hold RMB
Place Piton	Hold Up D-Pad	Hold Up D-Pad	Hold 3
Recover Stamina	Triangle	Y	Q
Run & Jump	R2 + Cross	RT + A	Ctrl + Space
Observe Wall	L1	LB	Tab

Although you can play using a keyboard and mouse, we highly recommend using a controller for the best experience in Cairn.

Examples Of Ledges, Nooks, & Other Holds In Cairn

The images show examples of handholds and footholds – ledges, cracks, and bumps on the rock face. If Aava doesn’t grab onto one of these, quickly cancel the move with the Circle or B button and try a different hold.

Try moving the camera around and looking at the surface from different angles. This will help you determine if it’s flat and might reveal a good spot to target.

How & When To Use Pitons In Cairn

Okay, so placing a Piton is pretty straightforward! You just hold up on the D-Pad when you’re facing the rock. Then, a little skill check pops up – you’ve got to get the marker inside the white box. Nail it, and the Piton goes in perfectly. It’s a simple mechanic, but it adds a nice bit of challenge!

This spot functions as a safe point during Aava’s descent. If she falls from a greater height, she’ll only fall down to this level. She can also briefly rest here, stepping off the main path to eat or drink. From here, she can either rappel down using the rope, or climb back up it.

When To Use Pitons In Cairn

Okay, so pitons are hands-down the most effective climbing gear in this game, but here’s the catch: there are only six of them! You really need to think carefully about when and where you use them, because they’re a limited resource. Don’t waste them, or you’ll be stuck!

When Aava is shaking vigorously and about to fall.
Before a difficult part of the climb, where there are fewer ledges, etc.
If Aava needs to eat/drink and is a while off the ground.
If Aava needs to descend down a wall to reach water, for example.

Climbots can and should retrieve pitons. Even if they only recover broken pieces, bringing back two pieces allows the Climbot to repair them inside the tent.

Tactics & Tips For Climbing In Cairn

After having learned the basics, the following are some tips to help players climb in Cairn.

Plan Your Climb

Success in Cairn heavily relies on carefully planning how you’ll climb. Even skilled climbers can’t manage every route, so it’s essential to scout the rock face before you start. Use L1/LB to scan from afar, looking for plenty of ledges and crevices. A good climbing route will ideally have a place to rest about halfway up.

Use Chalk For Smoother Parts

Players can give Aava extra grip by applying Chalk to her hands. Simply hold the right direction on the D-pad. This will make it easier for her to climb slippery surfaces for the next twelve handholds. Use Chalk strategically – it’s helpful, but don’t overuse it.

Use the following guide to learn how to make more Chalk in Cairn.

Descend & Try A Different Route If It Proves Too Difficult

Being too determined to push through a difficult climb could be dangerous for Aava. If you’re halfway up a route and realize the next moves are too challenging, it’s best to descend and try a different path. This ability to be patient and adaptable is essential for finishing Cairn.

What To Do If Aava Starts Shaking?

If Aava begins to tremble, your immediate reaction should be to quickly anchor her by placing a hand or foot on something solid. Her muscles are giving out, and without that support, she’s at risk of falling and being seriously hurt.

Besides using a hand or foot for support, you can also quickly hammer a piton into the rock face to regain stability.

Don’t Worry About Weird Body Angles & Contortions

Aava is a very skilled and flexible climber. She often needs to lift her legs high to reach holds or gaps while climbing. These positions aren’t meant to be realistic or painful – they’re simply a natural part of the game and essential for reaching the top.

Always Rotate The Camera

Sometimes, hidden paths or openings aren’t visible head-on, so it’s important to keep turning the camera to discover new possibilities. Continue using L1/LB to scan your surroundings too.

Watch Out For Slippery Surfaces

It’s best to avoid climbing when it’s raining or right after it rains. If the conditions aren’t good, wait it out in your tent or use the wait function. Also, be aware that some rocks can be slippery even when dry. These spots often appear shiny, and you won’t be able to drill pitons into them.

Listen To Aava For Signs She’s Struggling

In Cairn, you won’t see a traditional stamina bar. Instead, listen carefully to Aava. If she sounds tired or like she’s gasping for air, she needs to rest. Find a safe spot and press Triangle (or Y) to recover some stamina. Using a piton will completely refill her stamina.

Make Use Of Consumables That Buff Climbing

Aava carries a few helpful items in her backpack, like tea. Drinking it not only quenches her thirst and satisfies hunger, but also gives her a temporary boost of concentration.

These items are best saved for challenging climbs, but don’t ignore them! When exploring Mount Kami, always search for useful supplies – they can help Aava survive and make climbing easier.

Try Not To Climb At Night

It’s harder to see and colder at night, so try to sleep or wait in the tent until daybreak.

Take Your Time

While Cairn does have some survival challenges – you need to manage your supplies and the approaching night – it’s not about speed. Don’t rush! Aava will die if you do. Instead, take your time and carefully consider your defensive positions.

2026-01-31 19:36