Mountain tours = low gear inches. Like 18" on 9 speed set up. I never had any serious problems with a triple. Occasionally the chain would jump off the small ring if I was careless with the shift. No big deal. Add a guard as fietsbob suggest. Bar cons are good. I preferred friction front and rear. The Sram indexed grip shifters I use now are good to. Precise and trouble free. Did not like STIs.

If the lbs can get you the needed gear inches, low and high, with a double, that might be ok. When loaded for touring on the DF, I rarely needed the big ring. Unloaded, I did need it. Just make sure if you go with a double, it won't be a compromise you'll regret.