Hopefully, I will make it to the area next year and will someday stand on top of Everest. Let me know if you're interested. My prayers go out to Rob Hall, Scott Fisher and their families, and also everyone else who has died on Everest. My second trip up the summit was the best. This time I soloed from Camp IV, using Henry Todd's fixed ropes at the Hillary Step.
West ridge is too dauting and too susceptible to avalanches on the shoulder.
NE ridge is too difficult, especially once you reach the first of the three Rock steps. SW face, don't even bother. I remember looking at it as I passed by it in the W cwm. It just jutted out in front of me, going up 8000 feet into oblivion. I never thought that I would make it to the top.