I think she meant she wants a LHT, not that she has one.
I have a mountain rear derailleur on my custom road bike, with an 11-34 on the back. I can get up anything. I had this bike built with slightly more upright geometry. I commute on it, with a heavy pannier. I've also ridden it with a pannier and an Arkel Trail Rider trunk bag. Since when I commute home, I often have a packed pannier and a 10% grade to climb, it's perfect. I may be going 5 mph, but at 7 PM, who cares? However, on my new Trek Silque that is being built, I am getting an 11-32, and it is a road derailleur. If you want a more upright bike, go for the Surly, but I would be happy to spend 500.00 for more gears on the Dolce. Having those extra gears is peace of mind.
Somewhere I think I remember that you are shorter, like me. I know the Surlys don't have a lot for people who are 5 feet tall!