The Bolshoy Azau Glacier (formerly known as the Baksan Glacier) is located on the southern slope of Mount Elbrus.
To the east it adjoins the Maly Azau Glacier.
Bolshoy Azau is the largest glacier in the Elbrus region, covering an area of 16.17 square kilometers.
At present, its tongue begins at an elevation of 2,493 meters above sea level.
There are several versions regarding the origin of the glacier’s name.
According to one of them, neighboring tribes, crossing the ridge, harassed the local inhabitants by driving off their cattle and hunting mountain goats.
The Baksans then appealed to Prince Atazhukin, their protector and the owner of this land, to provide them with defense.
The prince sent a renowned warrior named Azao, who succeeded in stopping the raids.
However, the custom of blood revenge compelled the defeated tribes to ambush and kill Azao.
He was buried in a meadow that the Baksans named Azau.
The name Azau can be translated from Kabardian as ezu (azu) — “skillfully” and zaue (zao) — “to fight, to wage war,” that is, “one who fights skillfully.”