Cross Mt. Kolts, face 
Vargas, and reach the Returners’ hideout.
Walkthrough
Climb the outside paths, enter the caves and keep following the figure visible ahead. Paths sometimes turn behind the mountain; if you reach an apparent dead end, look for the adjacent cave entrance or bridge rather than returning to town.
Save before Vargas. Defeat the bears first because they guard him. When 
Sabin interrupts, the game prompts for a Blitz: select the command, enter the indicated directions and confirm. Practice the sequence deliberately if it fails.
Follow the exit to the Returner Hideout. Talk to its residents and collect supplies before speaking with Banon outside. His request affects a small reward, but either answer allows the story to continue.
Checkpoint
Duncan’s cabin north of South Figaro offers free recovery before the mountain. On Mt. Kolts, look for a less obvious path near the cave bridge. At the hideout, accepting Banon’s request yields a Gauntlet unless the Genji Glove was already collected. Refusing three times gives the Genji Glove; alternatively, refuse once and talk to the Returner in the storage room.