Let me tell you something about Mount Fay in Hollow Knight Silksong – it’s probably going to make you want to throw your controller at least once. The Double Jump ability (officially called the Faydown Cloak) is locked behind what might be the most challenging platforming gauntlet in the entire game.
But here’s the thing: once you finally get that double jump, it completely changes how you move through Pharloom. Every vertical challenge becomes manageable, exploration opens up dramatically, and you’ll feel like you can conquer anything the game throws at you.
Why the Double Jump is Worth Every Frustrating Moment
Before we dive into the nightmare that is Mount Fay, let’s talk about why you absolutely need this ability. The Double Jump isn’t just convenient – it’s game-changing. Areas that seemed impossible to reach suddenly become accessible, and your overall mobility gets a massive upgrade.
More importantly, many late-game areas practically require the double jump to navigate effectively. Trust me, you don’t want to reach those sections and realize you have to backtrack all the way to Mount Fay.
The Reality Check: What You’re Getting Into
Mount Fay isn’t your typical Silksong area. It’s essentially one massive platforming test with some pretty brutal conditions:
- Minimal benches throughout the climb – fall too far and you might restart from way back
- No enemies to heal from during most of the ascent
- Cold damage that constantly drains your health unless you find warming spots
- Unforgiving platforming where one mistake can send you tumbling back down
I’m not trying to scare you off, but going in prepared mentally makes all the difference. This isn’t a casual stroll – it’s a test of patience and precision.
Essential Prep: Get Your Clawline First
Before you even think about attempting Mount Fay, you absolutely need the Clawline skill. It’s not optional – the mountain is literally inaccessible without it. If you haven’t grabbed this grappling hook ability yet, check out our Clawline guide first.
I also highly recommend getting the Ascendant’s Grip if you can. This lets you stick to any wall you touch, which is incredibly helpful when you’re desperately trying to recover from a mistimed jump.
Finding Your Way to Mount Fay
Getting to Mount Fay requires reaching The Slab area first. You’ve got two routes:
- Through the Choral Chambers (the standard route)
- Getting “kidnapped” to The Slab (skips Choral Chambers but you’ll need to visit them anyway for the Clawline)
Since you need the Clawline regardless, most players will naturally progress through Choral Chambers first.
The Climb: A Step-by-Step Survival Guide
Starting Out (Steps 1-2) From the bench next to Shakra, head left and jump to the platforms above the frozen lake. You’ll need to make a big leap to a distant platform using your Clawline hook – this sets the tone for what’s coming.
Once outside, you’ll encounter floating rocks that break on contact. The key here is speed and momentum – don’t hesitate after landing on any platform. Look for your next target immediately and keep moving.
The Spike Gauntlet (Steps 3-4) This is where things get serious. You’ll be wall-jumping between spikes while managing your position carefully. There’s a section where you need to float between spikes – take your time here. Rushing will only get you impaled.
After navigating the spike maze, you’ll be airborne with no immediate warm spot. Keep moving, hook onto enemies, and use them as stepping stones to reach the next safe area.
Mid-Mountain Challenges (Steps 5-8) The pattern becomes familiar but no less dangerous: enemies, hoops, warm spots, repeat. Each frozen lake presents its own puzzle of timing and positioning.
Pro tip: When you encounter unreachable enemies, look for alternative routes through caves or different wall paths. The mountain often has hidden solutions that aren’t immediately obvious.
The Final Push (Steps 9-12) The last section is Mount Fay at its most brutal. Every mistake feels magnified because you’re so close to the goal. The breakable platforms become more numerous, the timing windows tighter, and the cold damage more punishing.
The final challenge involves finding an air current on the left side of the summit area. Once you locate it, you’re home free – the Faydown Cloak is yours.
Survival Strategies That Actually Work
Manage Your Health Obsessively Since healing opportunities are rare, treat every hit like it matters. Avoid unnecessary combat and focus purely on platforming precision.
Learn the Warning Signs Cold damage builds up gradually. Learn to recognize when you’re getting too cold and prioritize reaching the next warm spot over perfect platforming.
Use the Environment Enemies aren’t just obstacles – they’re platforms. Learning to use them as stepping stones is crucial for maintaining momentum and height.
Don’t Rush the Warm Spots When you reach a warm area, take a moment to plan your next moves. A few seconds of planning can save you minutes of repetition.
Common Mistakes That’ll Send You Back Down
Mistake #1: Inadequate Preparation Going in without the Clawline or proper health/silk management is asking for trouble.
Mistake #2: Panic Jumping When you’re cold and losing health, it’s tempting to rush. This usually leads to missing platforms and falling.
Mistake #3: Ignoring the Bench Opportunities There’s actually a hidden bench partway up that requires some Rosary Beads to unlock. It’s worth the investment for the checkpoint.
Mistake #4: Poor Resource Management Not managing your silk effectively can leave you unable to use the Clawline when you desperately need it.
What Changes After Getting Double Jump
Once you’ve got the Faydown Cloak, exploration becomes dramatically easier. Vertical challenges that once required complex routing can be solved with a simple double jump. It also opens up access to numerous secrets and areas that were previously unreachable.
The double jump also improves your combat mobility significantly. Being able to reposition in mid-air gives you more options for avoiding attacks and setting up counter-attacks.
Building the Skills You’ll Need
Before attempting Mount Fay, make sure you’re comfortable with Silksong’s core movement mechanics. Our essential beginner tips cover the fundamental skills you’ll need.
You should also be familiar with advanced platforming techniques like wall-jumping and precise Clawline usage. If you’re still working on these basics, spend some time in easier areas first.
Final Words of Encouragement
Mount Fay is tough, but it’s not impossible. Every player who’s conquered it has felt that same frustration, made those same mistakes, and wanted to quit at least once. The difference between success and giving up is usually just persistence.
When you finally reach the summit and claim that Faydown Cloak, the sense of accomplishment is incredible. Plus, you’ll have developed platforming skills that’ll serve you well throughout the rest of your Silksong journey.
Ready to start your climb? You can experience this challenge yourself by getting Hollow Knight: Silksong on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox.
Remember, Mount Fay isn’t just about getting the Double Jump – it’s about proving to yourself that you can handle whatever Silksong throws at you. Good luck, and may your platforming be precise and your falls be minimal!
