Using deformed Hartree–Fock and the angular momentum projection formalism, the nature of the first band crossings in the high spin structure of 182,184,186 Os , 181,183 Re and 181 Ta are studied. The degree of high-K mixing obtained in the calculation provides a microscopic understanding of the K-forbidden transitions from the high-K bandheads to the yrast states with low-K intrinsic structure.