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Egypt 1/2 way through a 60hr Sand Storm.. Sahara 1999 |
As Expedition Leader, Line Producer.IMAX Dinosaurs Alive 2006 Bruce Elfstrom Founder and President Biologist and OEX founder Bruce Elfstrom has navigated his way across four continents and lived in three. From Vietnam to Costa Rica, Lebanon to Egypt and Iceland, Bruce has taken his vehicles over roads that few have traveled. He has translated a concern for nature, an education in Ecology and Anthropology and a taste for adventure into OEX, a company that teaches drivers how to discover new places, and to make sure that their 4WD vehicles leave no trace of their passing. His expertise has landed him with teams from National Geographic, IMAX®, Department of Environmental Protection and international expeditions that need to get into and out of tough locales, and take care while they do so.
Hunting with Eagle. 2006
and, sometimes, behind the wheel! 2004
As a 4WD and Vehicle Based Expedition Driving Instructor and Consultant: Bruce Elfstrom’s starting off point in the woods of New England opened up a road, which wound itself throughout the United States, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Deserts of 130 F and snow covered areas of –33 F. Bruce is a certified Land Rover instructor. He holds instructor level certificates from Conrico Worldwide (Land Rover’s worldwide distributor), Protrax England, and Bill Burke’s 4-wheeling America. In addition Bruce has trained with Iceland's Land Rescue, is a Wilderness EMT and has years of experience in war torn areas. Bruce teaches beginner through highly advanced 4WD driving techniques on a daily basis on OEX’s courses he personally designed located in Hadlyme, CT. “I can’t remember a period within the last 30 years when I have not been in or around a 4WD. I can’t say that there is not a situation I have not run across, but I have not been surprised in quite some time.” Bruce’s hard won field experience and training, well planned teaching curriculum, self designed courses, and degrees in the biological sciences allows OEX to offer a unique, personal, and all encompassing approach to 4WD training and touring unequaled in the world.
"Wheeling is fun, but when you're 3000 miles from nearest parts dealer....it might make sense to go around that obstacle!"
On OEX in Brief:
On Environmental Stewardship: OEX’s founder and president Bruce Elfstrom brings a lifetime of knowledge and skill to 4WD-vehicle travel and expeditions. Bruce grew up with a love and appreciation of the environment. “I grew up with a father who made documentary films and a mother who worked for the UN, I have been traveling, driving, and studying the environment for as long as I can remember. I first started using 4WDs as a way to see more of the woods of New England at the age of 10. Later, as a biologist, I found myself teaching fellow biologist, archaeologists, geologists and so on… how to properly use 4WD vehicles as an acceptable field tool.” As a researcher and science teacher Bruce expounded the ideas of proper environmental stewardship. He learned that no matter how hard you try to teach people to appreciate the environment the most important step is to get them out into nature, “People need to get out into the environment. They need to see it, smell it, and taste it, before they will make an effort to protect it.” Roads throughout the world allow people to reach into areas that need to be experienced and protected, some these areas can only be accessed with the proper equipment used in a responsible way. “People need to see what the world has to offer so they learn to protect it. A 4wd vehicle is one of the best ways to get out into the world and see it, learn about it, and experience the differences it has to offer.” A good 4WD, driven properly on existing roads, is just another tool, like trekking or skiing, to get to a place. “People are out there using all kinds of means to get into the ‘woods’, if one means is a 4WD vehicle, if I can teach them how to operate it right, then when they do go out there they will be part of nature without fighting through it. Using a 4WD vehicle is just like mountain biking, or camping, or rafting, or fishing; done correctly there is very little environmental impact, and it can foster a lifetime of love for the environment. If one of my clients teaches someone else, well then I have done something worthwhile, haven't I?.” OEX promotes the Tread Lightly, and Leave No Trace philosophies; these programs promote proper environmental stewardship.
Teaching on the CT course 2000
OEX’s commitment to the environment extends even further. OEX is the only off-road and Vehicle Based Expedition consulting business in the world running Biodiesel as a fuel of choice. OEX is a carbon-balanced business. Carbon dioxide is one of the most dangerous of the greenhouse gases. CO2 emission from the operation of OEX, such as running the vehicles, heating the buildings, or powering electrical devices is offset through a reforestation program in Costa Rica. Basically stated, trees are planted that grow and absorb carbon gases and change it into their physical structures, thus removing it from the atmosphere. The trees are tended by local farmers who sell them for materials (the farmers have a vested interest in environmental protection and reforestation). The land the trees are planted on is over used deforested grazing land; this land is reclaimed and over time will hold soils and retain moisture and increase habitat diversity.
All of OEX’s staff are well suited to their roles be they mechanical, driver training, marketing, outfitting, or international trip preparation. While Bruce Elfstrom heads each training session, other driving instructors provide a variation of approaches to the training session. In addition each has been trained by to exacting standards. |
Click to enlarge  Axel Field Fix, Iceland 2006
Overland Experts
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After the Drive up Mt
Washington. January 2000 |
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