Wasdale

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Wasdale (pronounced as in was-dale, not waz-dale) is a valley in the western Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England. The River Irt flows through the valley to its estuary at Ravenglass. A large part of the main valley floor is occupied by a lake called Wastwater, the deepest lake in England (258 feet). Further down the valley are the villages of Nether Wasdale and Gosforth.

The head of the valley is dominated by the mountains of Great Gable and the highest peak in England, Scafell Pike, which along with Scafell, Kirk Fell and Yewbarrow, surround the small community of Wasdale Head. Nearby, is St Olaf's Church, which is one of the smallest churches in England. Wasdale is famous amongst rock climbers as the home of British rock climbing. A classic route is Napes Needle on Great Gable. Wasdale Head is also home to an annual "greatest liar" contest.