Low-normal (formerly Rapid Rise) is a pig in a poke.

Deore is not as good as XT under adverse conditions -- which you WILL encounter touring. On a commute home one day, I was forced to ride through floodwater up to my BB; the front disc howled for two days, my socks bled onto my feet... and my Deore derailleur quit the next day. It was 2 months old. Never again. (I'd ride the floodwater again, it was fun; but no more Deore!)

Absolutely reliable shifting could be had with SRAM's X.4/5/7/9/0 mt. triggers and derailleurs, but would be a "creative endeavour" for your application.