Also I've finally gotten the hang of slingshotting straight up in the vast void.
I have decided I shall direct my scientists to research this exciting new technology.
This makes the climbing go much faster: fall down below a block and shoot your grapple straight up so it'll catch just at the edge of its range. Hold Z and steer so you're just to either side of the block. Release grapple when you're even with the block. Catch major air.
It's all about the rubber-band physics. With careful falling and slingshotting you can conquer even the great empty spaces in the Upper Wastes.