North Cape Inukshuks - PEI, Canada
Posted by: 
T0SHEA
N 47° 03.503 W 063° 59.748
20T E 424376 N 5212133
These Inukshuks can be seen for certain periods of the year along the furthest north point of land on Prince Edward Island.
Waymark Code: WMJZHN
Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Date Posted: 01/21/2014
Views: 19
When in PEI I happened to drive up to North Cape to see the old lighthouse there. Serendipitously I arrived during the annual Inukshuk egg laying season. According to the locals, the Inukshuks crawl ashore during a two week period in mid summer to lay their eggs, then, in the dead of night, disappear back into the ocean to resume their aquatic lives. I arrived near the end of the two week "Inukshuk Run" when there were less than a dozen Inukshuks still on the beach, but dozens of their eggs were visible strewn about the beach. Hard as rocks, they're sufficiently well protected by their thick shells that the Inukshuks don't even bother to bury them.
The locals say that the "Inukshuk Run" becomes less spectacular each year, as the population is slowly being decimated by hunting, pollution, predation and other threats. Old timers say they remember the days when thousands of Inukshuks could be seen vying for egg laying space on this tiny beach, the only remaining Inukshuk rearing ground in the western hemisphere south of Baffin Island.
Whether they're caused by pollution or inbreeding within the small remaining population we don't know, but mutations in this small group were noted, with one sporting three legs and another with feet much larger than the norm.
How many years will it be before there are no Inukshuks remaining in these waters and the annual "Inukshuk Run" just a distant memory of those lucky enough to have witnessed one?
If you wish to witness the "Inukshuk Run" before it's too late, in early to mid July just take Highway 12 north off Highway 2, about 40 km. north west from Summerside, and go north until you can't go any further without getting wet. Look for the lighthouse and it will lead you to GZ.
