Tutorial:Water ladder

Water ladders were structures to facilitate quick climbing in a strictly vertical manner. The accessible portion of this structure was a 1×1 shaft, but if created above ground would require 3×3 blocks of horizontal space.

The ladder is essentially two shafts separated by a wall. At the top of the second shaft, a water source block is placed. The ladders are placed every other block. However the placement here is important; the first ladder must be placed in front of the hole leading to the water source block.

For every two blocks dug down, dig two blocks over and then one up to connect the water shaft. Place ladders in front of all of these openings to stop the water from flowing out into the ladder shaft.