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Quin A. Blackburn was a geologist on the First and Second Byrd Expeditions and leader of the geologic party that explored the Transantarctic Mountains. During the first expedition, Blackburn and 41 other explorers were forced to winter over in the Little America base due to their ship being stuck in the pack ice. Undoubtedly, Quin Blackburn's most lasting contribution to Antarctic exploration was as the leader of the Second Byrd Expedition's Geologic Party (1933-1935). During this expedition, he led a three-man team on a 1,500 mile trek across Marie Byrd Land, investigating the geology of the Queen Maud Mountains while also sledging the length of the Scott Glacier onto the Polar Plateau.

His prowess as an explorer was evident by the fact that his team returned from their long polar traverse having gained weight. Blackburn copied Robert Falcon Scott's system of traveling with and consuming a large team of dogs to ensure a steady supply of protein, fat, and Vitamin C during the expedition.

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In the news

Operation: MOCK TORTOISE

• 19 Nov - Raphania becomes a colony of Westarctica, ending the Westarctica-Raphania War.
• 10 Nov - Westarctica's military occupies Raphania in Operation: MOCK TORTOISE.
• 9 Nov - Viscount Atwood is appointed Captain of the Westarctican Royal Guards.
• 7 Nov - Grand Duke Travis and Prince Dinny become legally divorced.
• 7 Nov - Westarctica's Foreign Minister, the Baron of Dorrel, resigns from his post.
• 26 Oct - The Westarctica-Raphania War begins.
• 8 Oct - Diplomatic relations are established between Westarctica and the Isle of Lithua.
• 8 Sep - Queen Elizabeth II, a Knight in the Noble Order of Westarctica, dies.

This month in history Amundsen at the South Pole 01 December - The Antarctic Treaty is signed by the United States. (1959) 05 December - The Achaean Royal Charter is decreed by the Consul-General. (2002) 05 December - Westarctica is incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the state of California. (2014) 14 December - Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen becomes the first person to reach the South Pole. (1911) 18 December - American Antarctic explorer, Paul A. Siple is born in Montpelier, Ohio. (1908) 18 December - The Baron of Abele is appointed Commissioner of Elections in preparation to elect the next Prime Minister of Westarctica. (2018) 25 December - The Ecumenical Church of Westarctica is founded. (2018) 28 December - Grand Duke Travis marries Prince-Consort Dinny in a civil ceremony in Los Angeles, California. (2016) 30 December - At the conclusion of the 2008 Transition of Power, the Duke of Moulton-Berlin assumed the throne of Westarctica as Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence. (2008)

Featured image The Great Return, also called the 2010 Coup, and the Overthrow of Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence, was an important turning point in the history of Westarctica that involved the return of the nation's founder, Travis McHenry, to a position of power in Westarctica. On 4 June 2010, the day following the successful overthrow of Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence, Travis threw a lavish birthday party in a large suite at Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel. As the conclusion of the coup coincided with his 30th birthday, many of Travis' friends were present at the party, including the Viscount of Whitmore, who had been flown in from Pennsylvania to enjoy the festivities. Photographer: Viscount of Whitmore (More Images)

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