Heels 1976

Introduction

Introduction

The problems relating to the restriction of human passage through alpine scrub (Harper, I896) and leatherwood (e.g. Law, 1975) in particular have been recognised through out the ages. Leatherwood often features in the Folklore and poems of the hills (e.g. Spearpoint, 1975). Pointedly, leatherwood is not mentioned in a thesis on the salube by MacPherson (1974).

Little quantitative assessment of Leatherwood-tramper interaction (LTI) has been reported in literature. In view of the large areas of leatherwood in the local ranges a research institute has been established for the investigation of LTI phenomena. This paper describes how static charge is built up on trampers during LTI and derives an equation relating the variables for this. It also discusses some of the consequences of this buildup of charge.