Pt6 Day 2. Camp Bay to Mistletoe Bay - 16/03/17

Left Camp Bay about 0730 and arrived at Mistletoe Bay around 1830. Covered 32km today including a couple of kms off trail getting to and from campsites at either end - we also did 1360m vertical up and 1340 down, so a very big day for us! GPS track for the day is here.

So, it was my 60th birthday today and we had to celebrate it with a very long, hard day - especially as it was only our second day back on the trail after a couple of month break! The day started with a climb out of Camp Bay, eventually getting up onto the tops that we essentially followed for much of the day. As you can see from the GPS track there was a lot of up and down involved.

Coming up out of Camp Bay and back onto QCT proper.

Track is still easy walking. You can see a hint of the mist around this morning.

Helpful local signs! Still a bit misty for extensive views though.

Gives some idea of the mist.

Mist, sun and trees allowed B to do the artistic shot :-)

Pretty wide track in places and good underfoot.

We are above it, but the mist hangs around over the water.

They really were lovely walking conditions mostly. B in dappled light!

We came across quite a few walkers during the day, most of whom were going from lodge to lodge with their gear carted by water taxi - predominantly Australians as it happens. Belinda discovered that one of the tungsten tips had gone from a walking pole which meant it was slipping often. We had an unscheduled 45 minutes stop when we had reception so i could organise with Bivouac in Wellington to send some to our motel in Havelock. We got there in the end!

Came across sign warning of step dropoff!

And just around the corner was a steep dropoff - no problem for walkers but remember the track is used by cyclists as well!

Some lovely views after all the mist had well and truly cleared away.

Still a bit of farmed land in evidence amongst the bush areas.

Looking down into Kenepuru Sound.

Still standing at 60!!

More great views.

Looking back over to QC Sound (the ferry is a useful hint as to which bit of water it is!).

Had some great views of both Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds as we headed west. The track is generally pretty good as it is well used and mostly goes through relatively young regenerating bush. We stopped for lunch at Black Rock shelter and carried on down to Torea Saddle, where most of the hikers were​ dropping down into the Portage on the road. We, however, had to carry on across the road and carry on for about another 8.5km to get to Mistletoe Bay - including one km off trail to the campsite itself.

Memorial at the roadside as we crossed Torea Saddle.

Some blimmin' steep climbing on this last section from Torea Saddle!

But with some more lovely views to compensate.

At least they provided some seats along the way for weary travelers!

There were about 100 school kids at the camp but we were pointed towards a quiet area that worked out fine. I shouted myself a Powerade for my birthday drink - no beer on site :-( Yummy dehydrated dinner before bed :-).

Mistletoe Bay near the campsite.

Kitchen block to left, toilet blocks behind kids tents. We were up the hill in the background a bit - away from most of the noise of 100 kids!!