I visited that area for the first time last weekend. Awesome. I don't think I caught a glimpse of the North Arete, but you can probably get a guess on the not-so-much snow conditions here, North Yosemite denuded:
http://www.qitnl.com/v/091110/
Warning: a LOT of pix, no captions, I'm working on it. A lot of peaks and passes I want to revisit.
The rangers up there were real cool, the guy at the Bridgeport station and the fellow I met at the trailhead. They helped me work out my itinerary and campsites, on the fly, permits were no hassle. Up to Barney Lake (late start), around the donkey passes, up the SW and down the SE, Horse Creek. Real neat.
Just a look-see, next time I'll see that ridge I hope they'll be wearing white shirts.