Either set up will work, but I like the simplicity of a double. I have a 42/26 using the two inner rings of a triple and a 11x34 cassette on one bike and it works just fine and it would be easy to go to 12x36. Look at lightening the load as well as lowering gears. With a light load I used a 46x34 with a 12x36 cassette to do the Northern Tier and I'm not a particularly strong rider.