Paloma Farkas
guided rock climbing & alpine adventures
about me
Hi! I'm Paloma. I am an AMGA Certified Rock Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide based in Bishop, CA. I love to share my passion for the mountains with others. My goal is to teach my clients the skills they need to be self sufficient climbers and mountain travelers.I grew up in Seattle, WA and was introduced to climbing in the Cascades through my family. I have dedicated my time and energy to mountain guiding for the past 6 years, split between Patagonia, Chile and the Eastern Sierra of California.I also hold certification as a Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Trainer and AIARE Level 1 Professional Avalanche Training (PRO 1), and AMGA Ice Instructor.
Paloma Farkas guiding
Book a trip with me
Let's go climbing! You can book a trip or course with me through Sierra Mountain Guides or Golden State Guiding. I work primarily in the Eastern Sierra of California, but can travel to guide in Joshua Tree NP, Red Rock Canyon, the Cascades of Washington and Patagonia, Chile. I would love to work with you to make your climbing goals a reality.
Testimonials
Dmitry Medvedev - Intro to Ice Climbing
"Paloma is an excellent ice climbing and general mountaineering instructor. I took an introductory ice climbing class with her in early March of 2025. Even though I had climbed ice multiple times before with different professional ice climbing instructors, I learned new things about ice climbing from her. She also provided valuable recommendations regarding general climbing safety, such as protecting the belayer and sharing ice climbing venue with other parties, as well as general safety in harsh mountain environment. Her advice proved especially useful when we climbed on a cold windy day during serious snowfall, and managed to survive and enjoy our time in the mountains in safety and relative comfort. I would not hesitate to climb with her again, and would strongly recommend her guiding services to others."
fred Koberna - John Muir Trail 2021
"Thank you for making the JMT hike so enjoyable and successful! It was an amazing experience for all of us and your leadership was key to making it that way. You are going to be (and already are) a fantastic guide. I'm so glad that many more hikers and climbers will get the pleasure of having you guide their trips. You have a positive attitude that both encourages and pushes us to find the best in ourselves."
Mitra Akhtari - Women's Ice Climbing Weekend
"I tried ice climbing for the first time with Paloma in the Eastern Sierras. The entire weekend, I felt really safe with her and knew that I was in good hands. She has amazing technique and progressed us incrementally, focusing on safety and technique at every step. My two days with her made me comfortable with the basics but also pushed me a little out of my comfort zone. I would highly recommend being in the mountains with Paloma, anytime, anywhere!"
Jennifer Chuang - Crystal Crag
"Thank you for everything. I had amazing time climbing Crystal Crag with you. I appreciate your patience and teaching me skills. You made me feel calm on terrain with exposure. I love how you shared with me what is ahead and provided recommendations on the approach. I also enjoyed conversations with you on your upbringing, your family and climbing experience."
Eric Weinstein - Intro to Ice Climbing
"Paloma is one of the best instructors I've had, in any sport or discipline. And I've worked with a lot of wonderful instructors. She is very diligent and corrects every minor detail to the point that it all clicked fast for me. Somehow I walked away feeling extremely confident and fully prepped for Alpamayo in Peru. Sincere gratitude for Paloma and SMG."
Dan Hershman - Private Rock Climbing Day
"YES! I did the West face of Cardinal Pinnacle with Paloma last week. Super fun, great guide, great attitude, no fuss. Although I have been climbing for 45 years, I still learned some new tricks to make everything even smoother and more enjoyable. Looking forward to the next climb together. Highly recommended!"
Paloma Farkas guiding
What I do
I work with climbers on a spectrum from complete beginners to advanced climbers looking to take their skills to the next level. I guide rock climbing, alpine peak ascents, skills courses, ice climbing, winter mountaineering, and backpacking. I am happy to work with you to customize an itinerary that fits your abilities and goals.