Good question. Here were 2 ways Rene could've saved the run, & probably gotten the Crown out:
A - Get the [obvious] half pendant in the Swamp
B - Not put her hand in the tree, but go into the Mine Shaft. It would be much easier to go into the Mine Shaft & ride the elevator up to the Lightning Ball Room, where the Crown was, rather than to get her hand in the tree, go up to the Shrine of the Silver Monkey, assemble the monkey, than get the Crown.