Ross has climbed and scrambled on eight continents, focused particularly on the Ohau-Landsborough region and authored the first two editions of the guidebook to that region.
Ross was President of New Zealand Alpine Club from 1991-1993. During his 47 year engagement with NZAC he has held numerous roles including Otago Section chair 1984-85, HQ committee chair 1997-2001, two stints as Publications convenor 2003-2007, 2016-2022, and two terms as Board member. Ross was appointed a Life Member of NZAC in 2002 in recognition of his sustained contribution to the club.
Ross was a founding trustee of Tūpiki Trust and chair since 2022. For the last decade he has volunteered on numerous conservation and outdoor recreation projects in Te Tau Ihu region.
In his professional life he is an emeritus professor of resource economics at Lincoln University, and worked for 35 years in academia, teaching and researching on a wide range of environmental and resource issues.