Quote Originally Posted by alcapo11 View Post
Im thinking Ross will be locked up for a while for one of the dodgy jobs he does with Charity, that would explain his absence when Michael Parr climbs Everest.
That's another possiblity although it would go against what has been said for Ross' character.

Donna said that Ross always gets away with it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5X_gnLpVc at 3:25 - 3:35) which would make sense to how he's managed to be on screen and gives a positive/hopeful future that Ross will be around for as long Michael decides to stay on the show.