Crossclimb #636 Answer – January 26, 2026
DARKROOM
Answer
DARKROOM
Combo Clue
“A compound word for a place away from the light where film can be developed”
📖 How I Solved It
I tackled puzzle #636 on a chilly January morning, and let me tell you, it wasn't smooth sailing. The combo clue, 'A compound word for a place away from the light where film can be developed,' really threw me for a loop at first. I kept thinking about dark alleys or caves instead of the actual answer, DARKROOM. I even guessed 'dark place' for a moment, which obviously didn’t cut it! Once I finally got 'room' in my head, the rest of the word ladder started to click. The trickiest part was the transition from PARK to PORK. I had a mini brain freeze, just couldn’t connect the dots until I pictured a pig on a picnic somehow. Once I got through that, it was smooth sailing all the way to the finish line. I ended up feeling pretty accomplished after cracking it all!
💡 Tips for This Puzzle
- •Focus on the combo clue first; it can guide your word ladder choices.
- •Keep an open mind about the clues; don't get stuck on the first thing that pops to your head.
- •Try to visualize the connections between the words; sometimes a mental picture helps!