It will work fine.*

What makes a touring bike? What are your needs? The frame is solid and dependable, has rack mounts, has good brakes, is reasonably longish with sufficient chain-stay clearance for panniers (depending on foot size and how you angle the panniers as well as the rack choice), tallish head-tube... what could you gain from a dedicated tourer like the LHT? You might get more rake in the fork for better toe clearance which may or may not be an issue, or for better handling with a front pannier which may or may not be an issue. You might get stronger wheels, but I'm sure the straggler's wheels would hold up under most conditions. The gearing, of course, but the gearing is fine if you are just riding on the C&O and GAP... would be a problem riding across the country? Or maybe not, that depends on your weight, physical condition, and how much weight you are carrying in gear as much as anything. It's not an easy question to answer without knowing more specifics. Where are you riding, how much weight, rider size and proportions, etc.