Good v-brakes have worked for me for the last 30 years. No problems. Hills, summer, winter.

If money is not an issue, and if maintenance of disc brakes will not cause you inconvenience (you can do it yourself, or you have a good mechanic you can afford), then hydraulic disc brakes are good.

When it comes to long trips: 26" wheels can be bought anywhere on the planet, cheap. Replacing a warped disc or finding a disc brake wheel - not so easy IMO.