  We map a geometrically frustrated Ising system with transversal field
generated quantum dynamics to a strongly anisotropic lattice of non-crossing
elastic strings. The combined effect of frustration, quantum and thermal spin
fluctuations is explained in terms of a competition between intrinsic lattice
pinning of strings and topological defects in the lattice. From this picture we
obtain analytic results for correlations and the phase diagram which agree
nicely with recent simulations.
