Ir4550, thanks for the visit report. Regarding getting to the mountains, the outdoor program does an outstanding job of getting students out there. There are trips almost every weekend, including kayaking, hiking, climbing, rafting, skiing, snow-shoeing, ice climbing, and more. They’re led by experienced student leaders, food and transportation are included, and the outdoor shop rents equipment at low cost to students. The Bob Carson Outdoor Fund pays for all students to take at least one trip for free. My son got a season pass to the local ski area, an hour away, and skied almost every winter weekend. It’s a dinky place if your used to Squaw Valley, but they had a blast.
Whitman is a great school and that’s the biggest attraction, the campus fosters a close knit community of students, but the town and outdoor program can provide enough variety to keep it from becoming too claustrophobic for most students. Of course, those who choose it are looking for small and close knit.
Good luck with the college search!