Cold and fast boulder-strewn streams and rivers certainly help keep things interesting. Most of the backcountry trails have well made bridges to eliminate the barriers created by rivers, but a few remain in their natural state - without bridges, and the more adventurous will sooner or later find a river that needs crossing. As with any potential hazard look it over, and decide if it is worth the risk. Scout downstream for possible dangers in case someone goes swimming, and look for where the channel widens slows, or braids. Check the depth and speed of the water at the point you plan to ford. Rivers have less flow the farther upstream you travel. They swell during and after rains, and drop in droughts. Peak flow is usually in mid to late June. All other factors being equal there is usually less flow in the morning.

Should you decide to ford at this point, first release the waist belt of the pack and loosen the shoulder straps. If you lose balance the pack may have to be jettisoned. Be very careful of your footing. Rocks are constantly shifting in a fast moving stream, making footing difficult, and increasing the risk of trapping a foot. A good solid stick will help maintain balance. If you fall in, jettison the pack. Swim on your back with your feet pointing downstream and bent at the knee to act as bumpers against rocks. Swim to the easiest side of the stream and never stand up until you are out of the main current and in very shallow, reasonably calm water

In many parts of the Canadian Rockies the rocks can be quite soft. Never climb anywhere without a helmet. Avoid gullies and natural pathways of falling rock. During storms, strong winds, or when the temperature is freezing or thawing the danger of rock fall is greatest.

The mountains were formed by a shallow sea up to nearly 800 million years ago. As a result most of the rock is sedimentary with metamorphic pockets in the main ranges. The front ranges are primarily limestone and shale formed between 540 and 258 million years ago in the Paleozoic era. Shale can vary in colour, but is usually grey brown. It is generally very loose and weak, making it a poor rock to climb. The greenish grey concrete coloured limestone is of reasonable quality to climb. Climbing with the bedding plane or slab is usually more solid than the face where the rock layers are broken.

The main ranges are usually composed of primarily gritstone, shale, and quartzite. Both gritstone and shale are dark in colour and poor for climbing. The rock is soft, loose and unstable. In a few areas such as the Ramparts, Mt Edith Cavell, and Mt. Hardisty the rock is made of quartzite. This is usually the better rock in the for climbing. Quartzite is a much stronger, blocky and angular rock that is generally easy to protect. Quartzite has one serious disadvantage over limestone; when wet quartzite is very slippery, limestone will keep a grip.

Safe travel through steep scree, or climbing poor rock requires great care. Check each hand and foot hold and move carefully to prevent knocking any rock down on your party. Depending on the situation, there are two ways to travel through poor rock. The first involves moving one at a time while everyone below is sheltered from any debris you knock loose. The second option is for everyone to move together in a tight group. In theory if someone does dislodge anything, it doesn't have time to accelerate to a dangerous speed before it hits the next person. If most of the rock fall is occurring naturally and not by climbing then definitely move one at a time as quickly as possible from shelter to shelter. Better yet find a safer route, or abandon the climb and avoid an accident.

Should you ever experience rockfall try to find shelter under overhangs, behind boulders, or move out of the path of the rockfall if possible. When you hear rock fall don't look up, this leaves the face exposed to a direct hit. If all else fails, tuck your head into the rock face, hunch you shoulders up so the backpack will protect your neck and hang on! Always call ROCK! whenever you see, hear, or dislodge debris to alert the people around you to the hazard.

Some of the Rockies hiking trails can have snow on them well into July. Routes extending into the subalpine and alpine areas have seen snow fall in early August. A word about snow and ice safety seems appropriate.

Even the gentlest looking glacier, or long snow face extending up to some lofty summit is the realm of experienced alpinists. Specialized equipment is essential. Going for a short walk on the toe of a glacier close to the car may seem like a good idea. Each year thousands do just that on the Athabasca glacier, and every year or two a desperate rescue attempt to save someone wedged in a crevasse takes place. On occasion the rescue attempts fail and the victim dies of exposure.

When you come to a snow slope look around, and assess it. How big is the slope? Is there an easier way across? If you slip is it a safe run out, or does it end suddenly with an extreme drop? Moderate slopes with safe run outs can be a lot of fun on a hot summer day as long as you are certain there are no dangers. When the slope is too steep, too long, or the runout ends in a cliff or body mangling boulders, find another way. If you do lose your footing crossing a snow slope roll over on to your stomach, dig into the slope with your feet, and balance with your hands. Unless properly trained in 'self arrest' and in the use of an ice axe you probably shouldn't be anywhere near a dangerous slope.

Ice, and verglass (rock with a thin coating of ice) are again much more the domain of the alpinist. In the early and late season temperatures can drop below freezing. Above the treeline this can happen anytime of the year. Don't travel on ice without crampons and the experience of using them. As for verglass be extremely careful, it may be wise to abandon the climb, unless you are prepared and have the experience to deal with it.