Anyone ever pulled this off? :P

Even if I load up on bombs and managed to find the holes (not the ladders) it still takes too long. I'm usually around level 10 when it gets to be six or so and that's not even half way.

It's not trivial, but it's not punishing either.

Try going on a lucky day, when the fortune teller holds up a star, because you'll find ladders faster. Bring plenty of food. Try not to waste time on the monsters and focus as much as you can on breaking rocks.

To give you an idea, I had a gold pickaxe and went to the desert in the morning on a star day after tending to my animals. I made it to about level 40 when 10 p.m. came around and I left to go home.

If you want, you can also eat food that boost your luck or other skills.

Might watch this video for inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hApiP8d1DfQ

I made a stack of Pepper Poppers to eat, about 50 mega bombs, and loaded up with 11 stacks of 999 stone (I bought all the stone from the blacksmith) and made as many stairs/ladders as I could. I then just kept placing and going down ladders. I would pause to craft more ladders as I needed them.

I also hopped onto the bus as soon as it would let me. I prepared myself to go the day before.