loaded touring, for nine months, on a 1x7 with a 32t large cog and 36t chainring is doable for at least one mid 40 year old rider that i know of. and he ain't no athlete, i can assure you. he said the simplicity of a 1x7 was refreshing. YMMV.

IME, the key to getting a low gear is to get a crank that can take a single small chainring. anything in the 30's should do. it will simplify things. then the rear derailleur doesn't have to be something special to accommodate an outrageously large rear cog.