To the northwest, a large hanging glacier occupies the flank between it and Annapurna IV, while the Northeastern wall has a distinctive, recurrent series of cornices and rock bands resembling a human face or skull, visible in the above photograph.

Annapurna II is notable for its large avalanches, especially those originating from the high snowpack behind the North-central buttress.

These have limited the scope of mountaineering expeditions, indeed, the standard route of ascent uses the central connecting ridge with Annapurna IV to bypass many of its objective hazards.

The summit party comprised Richard Grant, Chris Bonington, and Sherpa Ang Nyima.

[4] In 1983, Tim Macartney-Snape planned and participated in an expedition to Annapurna II (7,937 m or 26,040 ft), reaching the summit via the first ascent of the south spur.