Cairn Walkthrough – The Twisted Ridge, The Escarpment, The Arch, The Shortcut

Cairn is a survival-climbing adventure game developed and published by The Game Bakers (creators of Furi and Haven). Released on January 29, 2026 for PC and PlayStation 5, Cairn challenges players to ascend the deadly, never-before-summited Mount Kami in a deeply immersive, realistic rock-climbing experience. In this part of the walkthrough we cover the climb through The Twisted Ridge, The Escarpment, The Arch and The Shortcut.

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Day 1 – The Twisted Ridge

You will wake up in your tent now to a call. Get out and start climbing. This is the path I took to the top of this ridge –

Walk over the ledge to a gorgeous cinematic soundtrack and vista till you reach the noticeboard.

Day 1: The Escarpment

Check all the documentation here. Save at the Biouvac. To the right is a fresh water source on the side of the mountain. Fill up and drink up there.

You can climb up the rock structure that is standing alone from the rest of the mountain but you have to go around the back to get up. Here is my path –

At the top you will find a backpack with two canned food items – Lentils and Ham and Alpine Cola. If you climb up the narrow cliff above the clear water hole.

You will find a cave inside with the Super Honey recipe as well as Mushrooms and a couple of Honey Dippers. You can also find a jar of the Super Honey.

Pick a spot to start the ascent, I picked the right side of the mountain.

I saw this narrow channel and I wanted to see what is inside. I found a dandelion on the ground but I had no backpack space. So I composted all the trash I had been picking up around the mountain to make space. After a bit of bag tetris I went to the far end of the channel and made my way up.

Once at the top I could see a broken vending machine so I rappelled down to it and picked up some medicine and a drink.

I then made my way up again after a couple of failed attempts –

After climbing up, I headed towards the bivouac which triggered a cutscene. I set up tent here for the night and ended Day 1.

Day 2 – The Arch

I looked around and found a bear proof box. Inside I found some veggies and medicine.

Next, I made my way up past the bivouac.

It was foggy so I turned on the light. I think it impacts your grip if you cant see clearly. On top near the strange structure I found a can of water and climbed up from there.

Walk towards the waterfall and you will find a skeleton with a piton, a letter with a map and a dandelion.

I went back and started the climb again. It then started to rain – which affected my grip.

Pro Tip: Always compost – this gives you chalk which is really good for extra grip.

Climb up a short distance next and check the information board.

Turn around and save at the Bivouac behind you. To the right you can see a small cave.

Inside the cave you can fill up your bottles and inside a cooling vase you can find some tea and medicine.

If you go out and follow the railing path you will find a trash can and drawing that doesn’t add anything of import. Pick up the trash here and compost everything.

Day 2 – The Shortcut

I checked the map I picked up earlier to see potential paths.

Green is easier and white paths are harder. I chose the central green path. Jump off the ledge using R2 + X and start climbing. This was my path –

I checked the map again. And then jumped across the small chasm, latched on to the wall and immediately used a piton.

The goal is to get to the blue path on that far left side. I took that blue path up and picked up a dandelion. There is a bivouac on the right.

Save and check the back for a letter.

If you set up tent here, you can watch a cutscene. Check your hands and then tape up if the condition is less than excellent.

Day 3 – The Shortcut

Once you are done leave the tent. Go to the other side and check the map.

There is an easy path up here. But also there is a cave down there – so rappel down.

Inside you can find an ongoing rave.

You can find a backpack near the music with food and medicine.

You can pick up a can of moonshine and fireworks as well. At the far end you can pick up trash for compost and an energy drink. Go back out and start climbing up again. This was my path.

Check the grafitti painted cabin. Inside you will find a first aid kit and a mattress for a quick rest. Go around the back and check the broken vending machine and the bear proof box. At the end of the path you can find a recipe for Tourist Trap Noodles.

Go back and climb to the top of the cable car operator crane. You can find eggs there. If you climb up to the top of the car, you can take a short break on the roof and set off the fireworks you picked up in the cave rave earlier.

Drop back down and start climbing on the left side.

I started moving to the right across the mountain.

Day 3: The Waterfall

There is a cave that I could see near the waterfall that I wanted to check out.

Inside the cave is a display of sorts as well as the opportunity to fish. You can also find the Cave Style Trout Recipe here. There are some meds in the cooling pot as well. Exit the fishing area and save at the Bivouac.

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