There are a number of side quests and Hunts that can be completed before you travel to the Mosphoran Highwaste. Check out the previous Rabanastre section of the walkthrough for details. Teleport to Nalbina using one of the orange Save Crystals once you are ready to continue.
You should take the time to initiate one of the Hunts while you are in Nalbina if you have not done so already. Search for a blue Bangaa named Burrogh on the northern wall of the Jajim Bazaar in Nalbina. He is crouched behind one of the stalls.
Speak to him to initiate Hunt 17: Trouble in the Hills assuming that you picked up Bill No. 16 – Atomos (Rank III) back at the Sandsea Tavern in Rabanastre.
Make your way back out to the West Barbican (where the orange Save Crystal is located) and travel north into the Mosphoran Highwaste.
As with the previous Elemental enemies that you have seen, the Fire Elemental enemies in this area should be avoided at all costs. They are not aggressive and will not attack you if you walk past them, however they will begin attacking any party member that uses Magick in their vicinity.
You should also make sure that you have an 
Esuna Gambit set up as the Worgens in this area can use a move called “Screech” which will put your characters under the Confuse status effect. Continue north into the next area.
Work your way through the Summit Path as well heading north. Your destination is the Babbling Vale which can be reached by going through the Empyrean Way or by heading west in the Summit Path, taking the long way around, but leading straight to the Vale.
Save your game at the orange Save Crystal. Speak to Va’Kansa near Luccio, the shop owner, to initiate Hunt 19: Rodeo to the Death (Braegh – Rank IV) assuming that you read Bill No. 18 back in Rabanastre. Luccio’s shop contains a number of new items, armor and weapons listed below:
You should upgrade your weapons and armor (assuming you can afford it), purchase a few 
Chronos Tears as they are helpful against the Stop status effect (which can devastate your party) and you may want to purchase the 
1000 Needles Technick (available in the original PlayStation 2 version of the game).
Head to the northeast section of the Babbling Vale and activate the Shrine of the East Wind and the Shrine of the Northeast Wind. Head into the Rays of Ashen Light area and a new pathway will have opened up allowing you to access two treasure chests - one which contains a Blood Sword and one which contains the Stamp Technick.
Some players have noted that at this section of the game the shrines are not active for them. If you find yourself having trouble activating the shrines, proceed to the next part of the strategy guide and return to the Mosphoran Highwastes to complete these steps after you have met with the moogles in the Salikawood and repaired the gate leading into the Phon Coast.
At this point you should complete the next Hunt to track down Atomos. Save your game at the Save Crystal and then venture north to the Northern Skirts:
Now travel north through the Trail of Sky-flung Stone and through the Northern Skirts (both of which you have already traveled through if you completed Hunt 17: Trouble in the Hills) and then through the Halny Crossing.
Walking over the bridge leads to the next are of the game: the Salikawood.
(Click on the map to enlarge)
Bastard Sword
Kiku-ichimonji
Gokuu Pole
Giant Stonebow
Avenger
Chaos Mace
Golden Staff
Ras Algethi
Hammerhead
Hunting Crossbow
Power Rod
Goggle Mask
Metal Jerkin
Black Cowl
Black Garb
Diamond Helm
Diamond Armor
Dragon Shield
Battle Harness
Fuzzy Miter
Bowline Sash
Agate Ring
Magick Gloves
Leather Gorget
Argyle Armlet
Hi-Potion
Aeroga
Vanishga
Darkra