In reply to James Gordon:
I've done all the 4000ers in the Oberland (except for that bloody Lauteraarhorn which always seems to escape me...!). A 30m rope and a glacier kit is all you need even if you do something with a bit of rocky scrambling on it like the Fiescherhorns, Grünhorn or Finsteraarhorn. Don't weigh yourself down with unnecessary junk.
Taking showers is a sign of weakness.
Twenty years ago the Hollandia gardien was indeed a miserable old git. It's some time since I've been there but I'm sure it's got a better one now.
Bailing out in the Oberland due to bad weather can be problematic depending on where you are:
Konkordia down the Aletsch gletscher is OK but hard work as it's almost flat. We skinned down it!
Konkordia to the Lotschenlucke is a long way.
Konkordia to the Jungfraujoch is even further.
Finsteraarhornhütte down the Fiescher gletscher is a no no.
Doug, yes I used to leave my car in Brig and buy tickets from there to the Jungfraujoch and then from Münster back to Brig. No reason to think they don't still do it.