What to know
- This route is built to teach advanced ice-climbing fundamentals, not brute force.
- Tapping and holding the climb input serve different purposes and must be used deliberately.
- Mixed ice-and-rock terrain can confuse gear selection, causing failed anchors if rushed.
- The path contains valuable optional items and a critical save spot worth securing.
In Cairn, the route from The Secret (First) to The Secret (Inside) is less about vertical endurance and more about mastery of systems. This stretch acts as a practical exam for ice climbing, mixed terrain handling, and environmental awareness. If you rush it or rely on instinct alone, the route quickly punishes you with slips, wasted stamina, and awkward positioning.
Taken slowly, however, it becomes one of the most rewarding climbs in the game.
Understanding the purpose of this route
This route exists to teach precision. Unlike earlier climbs where brute movement works, here the game expects you to read the surface and choose the correct input every time. Ice cracks, knobby protrusions, and subtle rock seams are all intentional cues, not decoration.
You are meant to stop, look, and decide before each move.
Ice climbing fundamentals on this path
Most of the ascent is ice, but not all ice behaves the same way. The wall alternates between textured sections with visible cracks and smoother plates that offer almost no natural grip.
On sections where the ice has clear cracks or raised knobs, a quick tap of the climb input is enough. These are the “sticky” points the game wants you to exploit. A successful connection is confirmed visually, so wait for that feedback before committing your weight.
On smoother ice with no visible texture, tapping fails more often than it succeeds. In these moments, holding and then releasing the climb button creates a stronger anchor, driving your tool into the surface instead of skimming it.
| Ice surface type | Correct input | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Cracks and knobs | Tap | Efficient, low stamina |
| Smooth ice plates | Hold → release | Strong, reliable anchor |
| Unclear texture | Pause and reassess | Prevents wasted moves |
Manually equipping ice gear
Early in this route, the game expects you to manually equip your ice climbing gear rather than relying on automatic selection. Failing to do so can result in your character attempting to treat ice like rock, leading to awkward stalls or outright slips.
Once equipped, stay aware of transitions. Cairn does not always switch gear cleanly when ice and rock overlap, which leads directly into the route’s next major challenge.
Several sections blend rock faces into icy walls with little visual separation. In these moments, the character can hesitate or select the wrong interaction if you move too quickly.
The solution is patience. Slow your movement, angle the camera to identify whether the surface has grain (rock) or sheen (ice), and commit to the correct tool. Rushing mixed terrain is one of the most common causes of failure on this route.
Resource gathering along the way
This path rewards exploration. Near the start, you can forage plantain, a useful ingredient for cooking and recovery. Later, deeper into the route, juniper becomes available as well. Neither is required to complete the climb, but both are valuable long-term resources.
You’ll also find a backpack containing spa bass, tucked away from the main line. It’s easy to miss if you stay locked onto the climb, but worth grabbing if you’re playing methodically.
Optional discoveries and strange encounters
As with many of Cairn’s secret routes, this one hides oddities. A salamander encountered later provides hallucinogenic mushrooms, tying into the game’s recurring theme of nature-driven buffs and altered states. These items are optional, but they reinforce that this route is as much about discovery as it is about movement.
Save spots and why they matter here
One of the most important features along this route is the save spot near the end of the climb. Reaching it allows you to experiment freely without the pressure of repeating the entire ascent. Given how technical the final approach to The Secret (Inside) can be, securing this save is strongly recommended before pushing forward.
| Key element | Importance |
|---|---|
| Plantain | Early sustain |
| Juniper | Mid-route utility |
| Spa bass backpack | Optional reward |
| Save spot | Critical for safety |
Reaching The Secret (Inside)
The route from The Secret (First) to The Secret (Inside) is Cairn at its most instructional. It doesn’t shout instructions or lock you into tutorials. Instead, it quietly tests whether you’ve truly learned how ice climbing works.
Tap when the wall offers texture. Hold when it doesn’t. Slow down when surfaces blend. Follow those principles, and this route becomes less intimidating and far more satisfying—both as a climb and as a lesson in Cairn’s design philosophy.
The final stretch narrows and becomes more controlled, funneling you toward the interior space known as The Secret (Inside). At this point, the ice gives way to more stable footing, signaling that the hardest mechanical challenges are behind you.
If you’ve managed your stamina, chosen inputs carefully, and avoided rushing mixed surfaces, the transition feels smooth rather than stressful.
