Yea it's not how many 'gears', that's marketing ..the math of the ratios is what matters.
crank teeth, divided by wheel teeth, multiplied by wheel's diameter.. you may also multiply by Pi and then that circumference multiplied by cadence will give you Actual speed
when you chart out all the ratio combinations you will see there are ranges that overlap as the ratios end up being
nearly the the same.
[2:1 can be described in many combinations]
Reads like a fairly Light bike with Touring/MTB is what you want, thats spooners suggestion.
for Cross racing bikes are not geared so low, because in a low gear the field will leave you behind, next thing they will be passing you and you are a lap down..
Perhaps, it's better to shoulder the bike and run up the hill, and keep your momentum up.