Hopper's Hands, Fort Point, San Francisco, CA
N 37° 48.650 W 122° 28.590
10S E 546079 N 4184955
Although many locals have heard of Hopper's Hands, most do not know the story behind them.
Waymark Code: WMAVAG
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 02/26/2011
Views: 66
In San Francisco, running is a very popular activity, and one of the more popular locations to run is a circuit, where runners head west in and around Crissy Field, toward the Golden Gate Bridge, past the pier, down Marine Drive and finally to a dead end at Fort Point, at a chain link fence that was installed after 9/11. Here they turn around and complete their journey by retracing their steps.
At the dead end, attached to the chain-link fence, and directly under the Golden Gate Bride, is a red plaque with a pair of hands, which the runners approach, proudly touch, before turning around to finish their run.
It is affectionately called "The Turning Point".
What many do not know, is the story behind the plaque. On the plaque and above the hands, are the words "Hoppers Hands", referring to Ken Hopper, one of the many bridge construction workers in San Francisco. What Ken and the other bridge contstruction workers can tell us is that not only is the Golden Gate Bridge the #1 tourist attraction in San Francisco.....but it is also the world's #1 suicide destination, with over 1,200 suicides to date.
Because of these statistics, many of the bridge workers have voluntarily completed training in suicide rescue and are on duty to assist when calls are received, (often in the middle of the night) regarding potential jumpers. It is estimated that Hopper has assisted with at least 30 potential suicide jumpers, and was able to persuade most of them off the bridge. He was not able to rescue two.
And this is why, under the Golden Gate Bridge, you will see Hopper's Hands, reminders that the Golden Gate Bridge is only a "turning point" and not a "dead end", with the hands on the plaque reaching out to all, a symbol of one man's willingness to reach out to those in need.
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Sidenote:
A sign of dog's paws were placed on the fence later, a tribute to the tireless companions that accompany many of the runners who use this circuit.
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Feel free to post a photo of yourself with Hoppers Hands in the background, or answer this question:
Question:
In additon to the plaque with Hoppers Hands, and the plaque of the dog's paws, what other plaque is located here?
Terrain Rating: 
Photo Required: yes
Hint:
Uvag: Gur "bgure cyndhr" V nz ersreevat gb vf ybpngrq gb gur yrsg bs Ubccref Unaqf naq gur Qbtf Cnjf (pybfre gb gur jngre). [decrypt]
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