34. In his bid to conquer this uncharted ocean of sand—a feat likened in importance to the first ascent of Everest—Blackmore’s expedition faced furnace heat and arctic cold.Blackmore’s expedition _______________.
(A) referred to the first ascent of Mount Everest
(B) took place in the ocean near the Arctic
(C) was not as important as ascending Everest
(D) was an unprecedented one in which he tried to cross a desert