The Climbing Axe is one of the most essential tools in The Forest, enabling players to scale cave walls and access previously unreachable areas. Without this vital piece of equipment, you’ll find yourself unable to fully explore the game world and progress through the main storyline. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to find and use the Climbing Axe, including detailed directions to its location, strategies for navigating the caves, and tips for making the most of this versatile tool once you’ve acquired it.
Understanding the Climbing Axe’s Importance
What Makes the Climbing Axe Essential
The Climbing Axe serves multiple purposes in The Forest, making it one of the most valuable items you’ll acquire during your survival journey:
- Cave Exploration – Many cave walls can only be scaled with the Climbing Axe, allowing access to new areas and hidden secrets
- Story Progression – Several key story elements require the Climbing Axe to reach
- Secondary Weapon – While not as powerful as dedicated weapons, the Climbing Axe can be used in combat when necessary
- Corpse Dismemberment – Can be used to chop limbs from cannibal corpses for resources
Finding the Climbing Axe should be a priority for any player looking to fully experience what The Forest has to offer. Without it, large portions of the game will remain inaccessible, including some crucial storyline locations.
When to Seek the Climbing Axe
For optimal progression, you should aim to obtain the Climbing Axe relatively early in your playthrough. Here’s a recommended timeline:
| Game Stage | Priority | Preparation Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1-3 | Low | Focus on basic survival first |
| Days 4-7 | Medium | Craft basic weapons and armor |
| Days 8-14 | High | Gather supplies for cave exploration |
| Days 15+ | Essential | Should have acquired it by now |
While you can technically survive without the Climbing Axe indefinitely, doing so will significantly limit your exploration options and prevent you from completing the game’s story.
Locating Cave 9 (Ledge Cave)
Major Landmarks for Navigation
The Climbing Axe is located in Cave 9, also known as the Ledge Cave. To find this cave, you’ll need to use several major landmarks for orientation:
- The Sinkhole – A massive crater in the center of the map
- The Northern Mountains – Snow-covered peaks in the north
- The Big Lake – A large body of water northeast of the sinkhole
These landmarks will help you triangulate the location of Cave 9, which has multiple entrances but only one that’s easily accessible without special equipment.
Finding the Main Entrance
The most accessible entrance to Cave 9 is located northwest of the sinkhole, between the sinkhole and the big lake. Here’s how to find it:
- Position yourself at the northern edge of the sinkhole
- Head northwest toward the mountains
- Look for a small clearing with a white tent
- The cave entrance is near this tent, appearing as a hole in the ground with a rope extending down
This entrance is relatively easy to spot during daylight hours but can be missed if you’re not paying attention. The white tent serves as an excellent visual marker, so keep your eyes peeled for it as you explore the area.
Alternative Entrances (Advanced)
For completeness, it’s worth noting that Cave 9 has several other entrances:
- Sinkhole Ledge Entrances – Two entrances are located on a ledge inside the sinkhole itself, but these are not accessible from the surface
- Cave Connection – You can reach Cave 9 from Cave 3 by blowing up a wall with explosives, but this requires you to already have found explosives
For first-time players, focus on finding the main entrance described above, as it’s the most straightforward way to access the cave.
Navigating Cave 9 to the Climbing Axe
Essential Equipment for the Journey
Before entering Cave 9, make sure you’re properly equipped:
| Item | Importance | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Flashlight/Lighter | Essential | The cave is extremely dark |
| Weapons | Essential | You’ll encounter cannibals and possibly mutants |
| Armor | Highly Recommended | Provides protection from enemies |
| Medical Supplies | Highly Recommended | For healing after combat or falls |
| Food and Water | Recommended | Cave exploration can take time |
| Flares | Optional | Provide temporary light and can distract enemies |
Going into the cave unprepared can result in a quick death, so take the time to gather these supplies before beginning your expedition.
Step-by-Step Path Through the Cave
Once you’ve found the entrance to Cave 9, follow these directions to reach the Climbing Axe:
- Initial Descent: Climb down the rope at the entrance
- Navigate the Ledges: Turn around at the bottom and carefully follow the ledge to the left
- Move slowly and crouch when necessary
- Be careful not to fall as drops can be fatal
- First Obstacle: Crawl through a narrow gap in the rocks
- Water Section: Wade through two small ponds
- After the second pond (with a hanging corpse above it), prepare for combat
- Enemy Encounter: Defeat the cannibals (typically 3-5) in this area
- Continue Forward: After defeating the enemies, continue straight ahead
- Final Chamber: You’ll enter a chamber with a light source on the left wall
- Obtain the Axe: The Climbing Axe will be embedded in this illuminated wall
The entire journey takes approximately 10-15 minutes if you don’t get lost or spend too much time in combat. The path is relatively linear, but the darkness and multiple ledges can make navigation challenging.
Dealing with Enemies
Cave 9 is home to several enemies that you’ll need to deal with:
- Standard Cannibals: 3-5 typically appear near the water section
- Mutant Babies: Small, fast enemies that may appear in groups
- Potential Virginia: Rarely, a Virginia (multi-limbed mutant) may spawn
Combat strategies for dealing with these threats:
- Use Ranged Weapons First: If you have a bow or other ranged weapon, try to pick off enemies from a distance
- Create Chokepoints: Use the narrow passages to your advantage, forcing enemies to approach one at a time
- Block and Counter: Time your blocks carefully and counter with strong attacks
- Use Flares or Fire: Enemies fear fire, so use flaming weapons or throw flares to create space
If you find yourself overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to retreat to a more defensible position where you can handle enemies one at a time.
Using the Climbing Axe Effectively
How to Climb Walls
Once you’ve obtained the Climbing Axe, you’ll need to know how to use it properly:
- Approach a climbable wall (they typically look smoother and often have rope markers)
- Look for the climbing prompt to appear (a climbing axe icon)
- Press the use button (E on PC, R2 on PlayStation) to attach to the wall
- Use directional controls to move in any direction along the climbable surface
- Press the jump button to detach from the wall
Not all vertical surfaces are climbable, even with the Climbing Axe. Climbable walls have a distinct appearance—typically smoother and often marked with bits of rope or other visual indicators.
Identifying Climbable Surfaces
Climbable walls have several identifying characteristics:
- Texture: Smoother than surrounding cave walls
- Color: Often a slightly different color than non-climbable surfaces
- Rope Markers: Many have small pieces of rope attached as guides
- Visual Prompts: The climbing axe icon will appear when looking at a climbable surface
When exploring caves, keep an eye out for these visual cues to identify potential climbing paths. If you’re uncertain whether a wall is climbable, approach it with the Climbing Axe equipped and look for the climbing prompt to appear.
Using the Climbing Axe as a Weapon
While not its primary purpose, the Climbing Axe can function as a weapon if needed:
- Attack Speed: Faster than the Plane Axe but slower than the Katana
- Damage: Lower damage than dedicated weapons
- Special Use: Effective against weaker enemies like starving cannibals
The Climbing Axe cannot be upgraded like other weapons, limiting its effectiveness in combat against stronger enemies. It’s best used as a backup weapon rather than your primary means of defense.
Climbing Axe Locations and Challenges
Common Difficulties in Finding the Axe
Players often struggle to find the Climbing Axe for several reasons:
- Cave Complexity: The cave system can be confusing to navigate
- Multiple Entrances: Cave 9 has several entrances, leading to confusion
- Hidden Path: The specific path to the axe requires careful navigation
- Enemy Encounters: Combat can disorient players, causing them to lose their way
If you find yourself struggling to locate the Climbing Axe, don’t get discouraged. The deliberate design of the cave system is meant to challenge players and make the discovery more rewarding.
Map Reference Points
To help you visualize the location of Cave 9 and the Climbing Axe, here are the approximate map coordinates:
| Location | Map Region | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Cave 9 Main Entrance | Northwest of Sinkhole | White tent, hole with rope |
| Sinkhole | Center of Map | Massive crater with water at bottom |
| Big Lake | Northeast of Sinkhole | Large body of water |
| Northern Mountains | North of Map | Snow-covered peaks |
If you have access to the in-game map (found in Cave 2), these reference points will help you triangulate the location of Cave 9.
Alternative Methods of Acquisition (Console Commands)
For players who are stuck or prefer to skip the exploration, the Climbing Axe can be obtained using console commands:
- Open the console by pressing F1
- Type:
developermodeonand press Enter - Type:
item climbingaxeand press Enter
Note that using console commands may diminish the intended experience and is generally recommended only for players who have exhausted all other options.
Using the Climbing Axe to Progress the Story
Key Areas Accessible with the Climbing Axe
Once you have the Climbing Axe, several critical areas of the game become accessible:
- Upper Levels of Cave Systems: Many caves have walls that can only be scaled with the Climbing Axe
- Sinkhole Exploration: The Climbing Axe makes navigating the sinkhole much safer
- Path to the Lab: Accessing certain parts of the endgame lab requires the Climbing Axe
- Hidden Collectibles: Several story items and collectibles are located in areas only reachable with the Climbing Axe
The Climbing Axe essentially serves as a key that unlocks the next phase of the game, allowing you to delve deeper into the mysteries of the peninsula.
Combining with Other Essential Tools
For maximum exploration capability, the Climbing Axe should be used in conjunction with other key items:
- Rebreather: Allows underwater exploration, opening up submerged cave sections
- Keycard: Grants access to locked doors in the research facility
- Rope Gun: Provides a means of creating ziplines for easier travel
- Modern Axe: Offers better combat capabilities when paired with the Climbing Axe
These items together form the essential toolkit for completing The Forest’s main storyline and discovering all of its secrets.
Safety Tips and Best Practices
Cave Exploration Safety
Exploring caves in The Forest is inherently dangerous. Follow these safety tips to improve your chances of survival:
- Save Before Entering: Always save your game before entering a new cave
- Light Sources: Keep multiple light sources available (flashlight, lighter, flares)
- Mark Your Path: Use stick markers or other visual indicators to mark your route
- Establish Rest Points: Create small camps with a save point at key locations
- Know When to Retreat: If you’re low on supplies or health, don’t hesitate to turn back
Cave exploration is a high-risk, high-reward activity in The Forest. Proper preparation and caution will significantly increase your chances of success.
Inventory Management for Cave Exploration
Managing your inventory effectively is crucial for successful cave exploration:
- Prioritize Essential Items: Flashlight, weapons, medical supplies, and the rebreather (if available)
- Limit Building Materials: Cave exploration requires combat and navigation items more than building supplies
- Create a Balanced Loadout: Maintain a mix of offensive and defensive equipment
- Consider Food/Water Requirements: Long expeditions require adequate sustenance
Before entering Cave 9, take the time to organize your inventory to ensure you have everything needed for the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I climb back out of caves without the Climbing Axe?
Answer: In most cases, no. Many caves in The Forest are designed with one-way drops that require the Climbing Axe to ascend. Without it, you may find yourself trapped in certain cave systems. This is by design, encouraging players to obtain the Climbing Axe before fully exploring the cave network. There are some exceptions where careful jumping or alternative paths exist, but these are rare and often difficult to navigate.
What happens if I die after finding the Climbing Axe?
Answer: If you die after obtaining the Climbing Axe but before saving your game, you’ll lose the item and need to venture back to Cave 9 to retrieve it again. The Climbing Axe will remain in its original location until successfully collected and saved. This is why it’s highly recommended to establish a save point (via a shelter) immediately after obtaining the axe.
Can I use the Climbing Axe to climb any surface in the game?
Answer: No, the Climbing Axe only works on designated climbable surfaces, which have a specific appearance and trigger a climbing prompt when approached. These surfaces are primarily found in caves and certain cliff faces throughout the peninsula. Many walls, even those that appear scalable, cannot be climbed. The snow-covered mountains in the northern region, for example, are intentionally not climbable even with the axe.
How does the Climbing Axe compare to other weapons?
Answer: While the Climbing Axe can be used as a weapon, it’s far from the best choice for combat. It deals less damage than the Plane Axe but swings faster than many other weapons, similar to the Katana. It cannot be upgraded with modifications, limiting its long-term combat effectiveness. Its primary advantage is versatility—it serves as both a tool and a backup weapon when needed.
Is there more than one Climbing Axe in the game?
Answer: No, there is only one Climbing Axe in the entire game, located specifically in Cave 9. Unlike some other tools like axes or flashlights that have multiple instances throughout the game world, the Climbing Axe is unique. This emphasizes its importance and makes its acquisition a significant milestone in your survival journey.
Conclusion
The Climbing Axe is an indispensable tool in The Forest, opening up new exploration possibilities and allowing progression through the game’s storyline. Located in Cave 9 (Ledge Cave), obtaining it requires careful navigation through a challenging cave system populated with enemies.
By following this guide, you should be able to locate the Climbing Axe without excessive difficulty, armed with the knowledge of where to look and what obstacles to expect along the way. Once acquired, this versatile tool will serve you well throughout your survival journey, allowing you to reach previously inaccessible areas and uncover the peninsula’s darkest secrets.
Remember that exploration is at the heart of The Forest’s experience, and the Climbing Axe is your key to fully embracing that aspect of the game. Take your time, prepare thoroughly, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming the challenges that stand between you and this essential piece of equipment.
