I can't reply to the original thread now
http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=553247
but thank you all for the helpful advice!
Warm up walks didn't quite go according to plan because of a lot of snow low down, and freezing level all through our stay above 3600m (often above 4000m!).
However, the Almageller Hut lived up to all the recommendations: we had a lovely 2 day traverse of the Weissmies (what a waste to up-and-down it from Hohsaas!) - followed by a bit of fun on the Jegihorn VF (a late substitute for a snowed-up Lagginhorn) -
then crossing the valley to traverse the Allalinhorn via the "Metro Alpin Service Tunnel Route". Probably the hardest day followed with a very swift walk up the Strahlhorn, followed by an even faster return over porridgy snow - we got back to the Britannia at just gone 11am and it wasn't a minute too soon!
Fabulous week though, and I'm sorely tempted to go back quite soon...
