Tracy Gray’s New York Times crossword, “Ups and Downs” —Nate’s write-up

Hi, all! I hope this submit finds you nicely and experiencing extra ups than downs. We have a little bit of an Escherian grid at present, so let’s climb up an slide in:

09.04.22 Sunday New York Times Puzzle

– 35A diagonally as much as 22A: EDMUND HILLARY [Mount Everest scaler] – HILL in circles
– 39A diagonally as much as 24A: RAN RAMPANT [Went out of control] – RAMP in circles
– 60A diagonally right down to 79A: EVIL STEPSISTER [“Cinderella” meanie] – STEPS in circles
– 73A diagonally right down to 95A: BACKDOOR SLIDERS [Lateral-breaking pitches] – SLIDE in circles
– 80A diagonally right down to 109A: PARACHUTE IN [Glide down from above] – CHUTE in circles
– 114A diagonally as much as 84A: ALISTAIR SIM [Portrayer of Scrooge in 1951’s “A Christmas Carol”] – STAIRS in circles

I actually loved the Chutes & Ladders nature of this grid, with a HILL, RAMP, and STAIRS to carry you up the grid and STEPS, a SLIDE, and a CHUTE to carry you down it. My favourite theme entries have been the one the place the conveyance was current in a completely completely different kind within the base reply, like in EDMUND HILLARY or RAN RAMPANT, and I wanted there have been extra of a change in a number of the different entries. I used to be ready on a revealer that by no means got here, however I reckon the graphic nature of this theme together with the title meant there didn’t have to be one. It was a really fast resolve for me, although, which was a pleasant bonus and will tip the scales in favor of this puzzle for folk on the fence (although I think there’ll be a combined response to this puzzle).

My favourite clue of the puzzle was simply 112A BRATWURST [It’s a banger in Germany]. – I really like a great sausage joke!

What did you take pleasure in in regards to the puzzle? Let us know within the feedback beneath – and have a pleasant weekend!