Good post Gearing snobbery, YES.
Leaving out the road bike, and living in the Pennines.
A hero of mine in the 70s put 30 gears on his touring bike.
Using a five speed of the time, combined with a Sturmey Archer 3 speed.
I have just equal this feat, in spite of Shimano.
The bike and load weight in at 25 to 30 Kg, to ride this weight up a 10% hill.
F 52-39-30 (Shimano hollowtech 11) That's the best 3 ratios around, it gives you half gear's for long gradients,
for if your cadence drops below 70 trouble. Lets face it the weight of an extra ring and bit of chain is negligible.
R 12-36 (SRAM and dérailleur) 10 speed cassette and lots of Chocolate.
It's practical: (no hub-gear drag) works just fine best thing I have done.
Full speck available for interested parties.