Seen it many times.

That’s one of the reasons I quit going with rocky boots, they would rot in the box.

Because climbing boots are crazy expensive, and the marketplace went to molded soles, you will find a number of online boot repairing businesses that target climbers.

I took a particularly favorite pair of boots, had the soles cut off, and had a particular dual rubber Vibram sole put on them for the purposes of hunting on rock.

Look for a shop in CO or UT.

Out there doing it best I can.