We have identified several high-K four-and six-quasiparticle states between 2 0 5 and 5 MeV excitation in 176 Hf, which are well described by the collective model with axial symmetry,, Isomers with K n = 14", 19 + , and 22" form traps at or near the yrast line. The yrast structure changes from the ground band to a K v = 16 + band at J = 16 and again to a K n =22" state at 7 = 22, providing the first demonstration that intrinsic excitations of a heavy deformed nucleus can become yrast.An etch parameter almost unnoticed previously, etch induction time, has been measured in Kodak Pathe cellulose nitrate track detector films using 4 He, 6 Li, 12 C, 14 N, and le O ions of known low energy per unit mass for calibration. The etch induction time appears to vary with the parameter (dE/dx) w< im /Z* where Z* is the effective ion charge and (dE/ dx) w< 1000 is the restricted energy loss, calculated for a S-ray cutoff energy of 1000 eV.