Reaching the Summit: Tackling the “Crystal ball consulted atop Mount Everest?” Crossword Clue
Every crossword enthusiast knows that certain clues are designed to do more than just test your vocabulary; they are designed to transport you. This morning, solvers across the globe found themselves staring at a particularly evocative prompt:
“Crystal ball consulted atop Mount Everest?”
If you’ve been scratching your head over this one, you aren’t alone. This specific
crossword clue
is a masterclass in misdirection, blending the mystical world of divination with the literal heights of geography. When we encounter a clue followed by a question mark, our “puzzler sense” should immediately start tingling. In the world of the
daily crossword
, that punctuation is a wink from the constructor, signaling that we shouldn’t take the words at face value.
Breaking Down the Clue
To solve a tricky
crossword clue
like this, we have to look at the two primary components: the “Crystal ball” and “Mount Everest.”
On one hand, a crystal ball suggests themes of foresight, oracles, and looking into the future. You might be thinking of synonyms like
orb
,
sphere
, or even names of famous seers. On the other hand, we have Mount Everest—the roof of the world. This brings to mind concepts of altitude, summits, Nepal, and, most importantly, extreme cold and ice.
When you combine “crystal” with “Everest,” the mind naturally drifts toward frozen landscapes. Is the “crystal” literal? Is the “ball” something else entirely? The genius of this
crossword puzzle clue
lies in how it forces the solver to pivot from a metaphorical meaning to a literal, physical one—or perhaps vice versa.
The Art of the Pun
Crossword constructors love puns. If you are stuck on this
crossword clue
, try thinking about what a “crystal ball” might be made of if it were actually sitting at 29,000 feet. At that temperature, anything liquid becomes solid. Anything spherical becomes a frozen globe.
Think about the terminology we use for frozen precipitation or high-altitude weather conditions. Crossword puzzles frequently rely on “hidden-in-plain-sight” definitions. The “consulted” part of the clue suggests someone is looking at it, perhaps for information, but in the context of mountain climbing or cold weather, what “ball” would you be looking at?
Why This Clue is Trending
We see a lot of searches for this specific
crossword clue
because it bridges the gap between a “straight” definition and a “cryptic” one. It’s the kind of clue that makes you groan once the answer finally clicks into place—the hallmark of a well-constructed grid. Whether you are working through the New York Times, the LA Times, or the Wall Street Journal, these high-altitude puns are designed to slow your solve time and make the “Aha!” moment that much sweeter.
Tips for Solving
If you’re still staring at those empty white squares, here are a few tips for cracking this type of
crossword clue
:
1.
Check the crossings:
Sometimes the “down” clues are the only way to reveal the punny nature of an “across” clue.
2.
Say it out loud:
Sometimes the phonetic sound of a word reveals a hidden meaning.
3.
Think about the weather:
Mount Everest is defined by its climate. Let that guide your synonyms for “crystal.”
Don’t let this clue leave you out in the cold! Keep your pencil sharp and your mind open to the literal interpretations of these whimsical phrases. Half the fun of the
crossword clue
is the journey to the summit of the grid. Happy puzzling!
Available Answers:
HIGHEARTHORB.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Friday’s Daily By Nate Curry & Kevin Curry / Ed. Patti Varol