In reply to didntcomelast:
I did it last week, and loved it. Yes, it was horrendously busy, but that may well subside as you are that bit later in the season. Yes, there was all sorts going on the summit, but we don't own the mountains do we, so we have to take the rough with the smooth. Yes, the cable car and train down is expensive, but after 2200m of ascent, it's most welcome. Yes, you will see all sorts of Snowdon/Nevis-esque tomfoolery kit-wise and skill-wise, but hey, see above.
Go with an open mind, suck up the scenery and mountain ambience, ignore the crowds, and you'll love it.
So, tips -
Wear a thin waterproof for the gorge - You get soaked, and whilst it was nice for us due to the heat later on, it could be problematic if cooler.
Don't skip the gorge by taking the 'free' route. It's well worth the e4
6am is a good time to leave. We went at 6:30, and despite the queues, were on the top for 14:00
Poles and crampons is fine for the glacier, just be careful
The move off the glacier is just a lean-and-grab. We had been in a hoooge queue for ages, so had had time to take off crampons etc beforehand, so you do need to be careful not to slip. Actually, as CB says above, you could step down into the shallow 'schrund and do it there, clipped, but we couldn't see that until actually on it.
There's plenty of water at 2100m, but we still had drunk 2ltr by then, and then finished that 2ltr before the top. It was very hot indeed, but I would ensure you top up there. We saw one guy all but comatose with sun-stroke, who needed MR assistance.
Good luck, and enjoy.
My blog -
http://www.johnnywalker.co.uk/blog/a-busy-day-on-the-roof-of-germany-zugspi...
Post edited at 09:05