@rdev - I'm curious what had you making the calculation that:
Rookie + Ice Axe + Solo + Record Winter + Tallest Mountain = "Go for it".
You yourself note the great risks: "The margin for error is SMALL and the risk-reward ratio is totally skewed against you, i.e. 'I made it to the summit' vs a major injury."
Based on the description of your readiness to tackle the chute - and your experience tackling it both up and down, you appear to have dodged a major bullet. It would seem to me that the great lesson of your trip is: do not attempt ice axe terrain where error = major injury or death, until you have excellent skills and a skilled partner.
