32's and 36's, also easier on your back by the end of the day. Not nearly as much time half way hunkered over, liming and bucking. That half way bend is a killer, least wise it is for me. Steep is steep no matter what part of the country you and rooted in. An extra 12" of bar and chain shouldn't be a matter of anything, until you start getting into 60+ bars.
I don't have much dealings with hardwoods, but a semi comp chain up to 36 is about right for our soft stuff. 42 and up needs full skip. The redwood guys may need the full skip a shorter bars, not much dealings with them either. Put a file to that chain every five trees or so, hit it before it gets bad, maintenance filing is much more enjoyable that bringing a chain back from the dead.
Try a 32 for 3 weeks. It'll take that long to get a good honest opinion of something new and learn the tricks it will talk to wave it around.
Owl