You’re trekking through the heat, your stamina bar is blinking red, and you finally see it. The Gerudo Canyon Skyview Tower is right there, standing tall against the desert haze. But there’s a problem. It’s broken. Again.
In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo loves making you work for your map data. While some towers just require you to fight a few Bokoblins, this one is basically a physics exam you didn't study for. It’s located at the coordinates (-2432, -2178, 0307), right at the mouth of the canyon. If you've played Breath of the Wild, you remember this area as the gateway to the Gerudo Desert, but things have changed since the Upheaval.
Why the Tower Isn't Working
When you arrive, you’ll find a very stressed-out Rito named Sawson. He’s standing at the bottom of a cliff, looking up at the tower's entrance. He’s the maintenance guy, but he can't get up there because the elevator system is completely busted.
Basically, the counterweight is gone.
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Without that weight, the lift won't move, Sawson can't reach the terminal, and you don't get your map. It’s a bottleneck that stops a lot of players in their tracks because the solution isn't immediately obvious if you aren't thinking about the Ultrahand ability's specific quirks. Honestly, it's one of those moments where the game asks you to be an engineer instead of a swordsman.
The Physics of the Lift
The mechanic here is simple gravity. You have a platform on one side and a hook on the other. You need to put enough mass on that hook to pull the elevator up.
Most people start looking for heavy rocks. That’s a mistake. Well, it’s not a mistake, but it’s the slow way to do it. You’ll find some building materials nearby—mostly wooden boards and maybe a few loose stones. If you try to just stick one or two things on the hook, nothing happens. It stays stuck. You need significant weight.
How to Fix the Gerudo Canyon Skyview Tower Fast
First, head up to the actual tower platform. You can climb the cliffs or use Ascend if you find a good overhang. Once you’re at the top, look for the metal boxes.
These boxes are your best friends.
They are heavy. Much heavier than the wooden planks scattered around the base. Use your Ultrahand to grab one of these metal crates. Now, this is where it gets a bit fiddly. You need to attach the crate to the hook that’s dangling near the lift.
Don't just drop it.
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If you just drop the crate, it might slide off or fail to register the weight properly. You want to physically "glue" it using the Ultrahand's attach feature. Usually, three metal crates fused together will do the trick instantly. As soon as that third box hits the hook, the weight displacement kicks in. The lift will groan, Sawson will start moving upward, and the puzzle is essentially solved.
Wait for him to reach the top. Talk to him. He’ll fix the console, and you’re good to go.
A Quick Tip for Environmental Survival
While you’re messing around with crates, remember that Gerudo Canyon has "bipolar" weather. It’s scorching during the day and freezing at night. If you’re doing this during the day, make sure you’ve eaten some Chilly Elixirs or are wearing the Desert Voe armor. If you linger too long at night without heat, Link is going to start shivering, and you'll lose health. It sounds basic, but I’ve seen so many people die to weather damage while trying to line up an Ultrahand attachment.
Common Mistakes People Make at Gerudo Canyon
I’ve watched players try to use Fans. It doesn't work. The lift is on a fixed track, and the game really wants you to use the counterweight mechanic.
Another issue? Not looking up.
A lot of players stay at the bottom with Sawson and try to throw things at the hook. You can't reach it. You must go to the top of the lift area to access the crates and the hook itself. If you're struggling to get up there, remember that Link is basically a superhero now. Use a Rocket Shield. If you have a Rocket in your inventory, fuse it to your shield, hold ZL, and blast yourself straight to the top. It saves three minutes of tedious climbing.
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The "Hidden" Cave Nearby
While you're in the area of the Gerudo Canyon Skyview Tower, don't just leave once the map is unlocked. There’s a cave nearby—the Gerudo Canyon Mine—and a few Bubbulfrogs lurking in the crevices of the canyon walls.
Also, check the scaffolding.
The developers hid some decent loot in the crates around the construction site. Since you’ve already fixed the elevator, you might as well pillage the supplies. You’ll often find arrows and basic food items that are essential for the trek further into the desert where the heat becomes even more unforgiving.
What This Tower Unlocks
Once you launch from the tower, you get the layout for the entire Gerudo Canyon region. This is vital because the sandstorms in the desert can mess with your visibility and your mini-map.
You’ll also see the Sky Islands above. Specifically, the East Gerudo Sky Archipelago. From the apex of your launch, you can easily glide to several of these islands. Some contain Sage’s Wills or Old Maps that lead to armor sets from previous Zelda games.
If you have enough stamina—or a few Energizing Elixirs—aim for the islands with the circular platforms. These usually have Zonai Dispensers that give you high-tier parts like Beam Emitters or Big Batteries. You're going to need those if you plan on building vehicles to cross the desert sands later.
Actionable Steps for Your Journey
To get this tower running and make the most of the region, follow this sequence:
- Check your gear: Ensure you have at least one level of Heat Resistance (Desert Voe headband is the cheapest option at Kara Kara Bazaar).
- Scale the cliff: Don't wait for the lift. Climb or Rocket Shield to the top platform where the tower entrance is.
- Fuse the crates: Use Ultrahand to stick three metal crates to the hanging hook.
- Talk to Sawson: Don't fast travel away immediately! You have to trigger the dialogue with the Rito NPC to actually unlock the terminal.
- Launch and Glide: Look for the nearest Sky Island with a shrine. Landing there gives you a permanent fast-travel point in the sky, which is way more useful than the one on the ground.
Getting the Gerudo Canyon Skyview Tower online is one of those small victories that makes the mid-game feel much smoother. It turns a confusing, vertical landscape into a manageable map. Just remember: weight matters, weather kills, and metal crates are your best friends in the desert.