Need to climb quick, or fill in a deep hole in Minecraft? Use gravel or sand.

This stuff doesn't look like much, but thanks to gravity, it's totes your Minecraft mate!

For descending, this material works a charm 'cos when you place it, it falls to the bottom (unlike wood or dirt). For example, if you're looking into a deep cave and know there's some sweet ore a few layers down, drop several blocks of gravel or sand in, to create a column to the surface.
Next, stand on the column, start digging down and voila! You're at the bottom of the cave. Pass the diamonds!
Need to go up? It's easy. Jump, and drop gravel beneath you AKA hold down the jump key, and left mouse-click simultaneously (for PC version). On other consoles, it's the jump command and the place command simultaneously. You'll be stacking gravel underneath your feet, sending yourself to the surface and above.
Happy mining, K-Zoners!
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