However, weather is hampering the search for the 33-year-old Wellington engineer, who has not been seen for three weeks since telling friends he intended to climb 2819m Mt Earnslaw in Mount Aspiring National Park.
Acting Senior Sergeant Steve Watt, of Queenstown police, said the items were found at Esquilant Bivvy Hut yesterday during a search of huts and tracks in the Mt Earnslaw area.
Police also spoke to a climber who had been conducting a guided tour of the area, and stayed at the Esquilant Bivvy Hut when Mr Bell was thought to have been there around January 14.
"The climber provided further information about Simon's possible intentions.
"It's thought that Simon intended to climb the West to East Face.''
Police flew back into the area yesterday accompanied by Department of Conservation staff and Alpine Cliff Rescue personnel to search an area known as Sir William, but did not find anything of significance, Acting Snr Sgt Watt said.
Weather conditions in the area meant police had been unable to resume the search today.
It would continue when the weather cleared, with areas of interest including the West and East Peaks, and Pluto Peak.
Tararua Tramping Club president Paul Maxim told the Otago Daily Times yesterday no-one had yet climbed all 100 peaks.
''Simon's ambition was to do that.
''Mt Earnslaw was on the list.''
Mr Bell was a ''very nice guy'' who had been in the Tararua club for several years and was also a member of the New Zealand Alpine Club, Mr Maxim said.
''Although things are obviously not looking too good, there is a possibility he's still with us somewhere.''
Mr Bell recently climbed 3000m peaks around the La Perouse glacier in the Southern Alps.
Mr Maxim said Mr Bell ''did occasionally'' climb easier peaks solo.
''He followed good safe practices.''
Mr Maxim, who has climbed Earnslaw, described it as a ''reasonably straightforward'' climb in the right conditions which would normally take a couple of days.
It was ''very unusual'' a tramper would be out three weeks at a time without reporting in. He was sure Mr Bell would have left his intentions with someone, following the usual practice.
Mr Bell was a member of the club's alpine instruction committee. He was single and had no children, Mr Maxim said.
