That looks like one heck of a challenge and I can tell that you had a few doubts at first, but what a magnificent mountain top and view. Hiking in soft snow is really dangerous so it's good that you chose the other, safer route.

It's a pity about the clouds when you got to the top, but I think that the journey up there was a monumental achievement, the photos from the top would have been the frosting on the cake. It is really gorgeous up there.