I just received a press release with breaking news: Joseph Garland, a founding member of Mad Rock Climbing who announced his departure from the company in early January has returned to the industry, and is now working for Mad Rock’s parent company and manufacturer.

Three of Mad Rock’s original partners: Alex Kim, Ken Kim and ‘Joe’ Garland will continue the business under the new name ‘Climb X’, with Joe Garland being named its new president.

Original Mad Rock president and partner Young Chu will retain the Mad Rock name, but is no longer a member of this group. Climb X will assume the former Mad Rock operation, its distributors, most of its sales reps, international staff, warehouse, factory & production, and product development facility, as well as its Chinese and international warehouse facilities.

I hope this doesn’t mean the end of Mad Rock, because with the current price and fit, Mad Rock is one of my favourite route climbing shoes.

The ISPO fair, that starts in Germany this weekend, will be very interesting because both Mad Rock and the new Climb X will be setting up meetings to inform about the future.