Annapurna II 7,937 metres

Annapurna II from Pisang

Chris Bonington's first Annapurna region expedition was no doubt inspired by the French success on Annapurna I itself, and was to lead to his later success on the south face of Annapurna I in 1970. The route initially follows the route for Annapurna IV. That route follows the Sabche Khola south from the Marsyandi Valley from its confluence just west up the valley from Hongde (visited on Day 6 of the Annapurna Circuit). The route then climbs up onto the West Ridge, and follows this over a dome to the West Ridge leading to the summit of Annapurna IV. The route continues for 3 kilometres along the narrow corniced West Ridge to Annapurna II. This is an awesome undertaking as it involves considerable descent, (ascent on the return!) before reaching Annapurna II. The West Ridge is the skyline ridge connecting Annapurna IV and Annapurna II as seen from the Marsyandi valley. Given the obstacle of a 3 kilometre ridge at an altitude over 7,000 metres, combined with the fact that this mountain, at 7,937 metres, lies just below the magic 8,000 metres, may explain why it has been ascended by comparitively few expeditions.

Annapurna II from Manang. Annapurna II is the peak on the left.

List of Ascents

1960	W Ridge	GBR	Ang Nyima, NPL ,CJS (Chris) Bonington, GBR , RH (Dickie) Grant, GBR
1969	W Ridge	YUG	Kazmir Draslar, YUG ,Majija Malezic, YUG
1973	from N (1971 route)	JPN	Katsuyuki Kondo, JPN
1984	S Ridge	AUT	A Henderson, AUT ,G Mortimer, AUT , L Hall, AUT , T Macartney-Snape, AUT
1989	W ridge	KOR	Jeong Kab-Yong, KOR ,Kim Yong-Kyu, KOR