Originally Posted by
Standalone
Another solution is to tour LIGHT. There are threads on this-- and whole forums focused on backpacking light. 30/28 is pretty decent at 28.3 gear inches or so. I mean, you can always walk that one insane hill on the tour. You don't have to tell us about it.
If you need lower gearing, swapping the RD out and getting an 11-36 10 speed cassette takes the gearing down to 22 g.i.
I upgraded an old non-suspension steel-frame mountain bike for touring. I found that 22 gear inches works well for me while climbing steep hills even carrying a total load (bike, cargo, racks, etc., everything except me) of 88 pounds. I'm 69 years old and not a lifelong bike rider, so if it works for me, it should be fine for you, too.