diff --git a/turtle.lua b/turtle.lua
index 3b7332a..04eb36e 100644
--- a/turtle.lua
+++ b/turtle.lua
@@ -15,7 +15,10 @@ local state = {
     target = nil,
     path = {},
     lastStatusUpdate = 0,
-    stuckCounter = 0
+    stuckCounter = 0,
+    visitedPositions = {}, -- Track where we've been
+    lastPosition = nil,
+    stuckInHoleCounter = 0
 }
 
 -- Configuration
@@ -505,7 +508,95 @@ local function returnHome()
     broadcastStatus()
 end
 
--- Exploration algorithm
+-- Helper functions for intelligent exploration
+local function positionKey(pos)
+    if not pos then return nil end
+    return string.format("%d,%d,%d", pos.x, pos.y, pos.z)
+end
+
+local function hasVisited(pos)
+    local key = positionKey(pos)
+    return state.visitedPositions[key] ~= nil
+end
+
+local function markVisited(pos)
+    local key = positionKey(pos)
+    state.visitedPositions[key] = os.epoch("utc")
+end
+
+local function isStuckInSamePosition()
+    if not state.lastPosition or not state.position then
+        return false
+    end
+    return state.lastPosition.x == state.position.x and
+           state.lastPosition.y == state.position.y and
+           state.lastPosition.z == state.position.z
+end
+
+local function canMoveInDirection(direction)
+    if direction == "forward" then
+        local hasBlock = turtle.inspect()
+        return not hasBlock
+    elseif direction == "up" then
+        local hasBlock = turtle.inspectUp()
+        return not hasBlock
+    elseif direction == "down" then
+        local hasBlock = turtle.inspectDown()
+        return not hasBlock
+    end
+    return false
+end
+
+local function isInHole()
+    -- Check if turtle is in a hole (blocks above preventing escape)
+    local aboveBlocked = turtle.inspectUp()
+    local forwardBlocked = turtle.inspect()
+    
+    -- If above is blocked and we can't move forward easily, we might be in a hole
+    return aboveBlocked and forwardBlocked
+end
+
+local function tryClimbOut()
+    print("Attempting to climb out of hole...")
+    
+    -- Try to dig up and go up
+    for i = 1, 3 do
+        if canMoveInDirection("up") then
+            if smartUp() then
+                print("Climbed up 1 block")
+                state.stuckInHoleCounter = 0
+                return true
+            end
+        else
+            smartDig("up")
+            sleep(0.1)
+        end
+    end
+    
+    -- Try all horizontal directions
+    for i = 1, 4 do
+        if canMoveInDirection("forward") then
+            if smartForward() then
+                print("Moved forward out of hole")
+                state.stuckInHoleCounter = 0
+                return true
+            end
+        else
+            smartDig("forward")
+            sleep(0.1)
+            if smartForward() then
+                print("Dug and moved forward")
+                state.stuckInHoleCounter = 0
+                return true
+            end
+        end
+        smartTurnRight()
+    end
+    
+    return false
+end
+
+-- Exploration algorithm with intelligent navigation
 local function exploreStep()
     -- Check all directions for valuable ores
     for _, direction in ipairs({"forward", "up", "down"}) do