An Algerian climber has stirred national pride—and controversy—after claiming to have put the Algerian national flag on the highest peak of the world, despite turning back just short of the peak.

Nessim Hachaichi, 36, reached the Hillary Step (8,790 m) before being forced to retreat due to extreme weather, according to his expedition organizer, 8K Expeditions.

Though he did not reach the 8,848.86-meter summit, Nessim posted a video from around the Hillary Step on social media, which was quickly picked up by Algerian media and celebrated as a historic achievement.

In the video, Nessim is seen holding the Algerian flag, a gesture widely interpreted by local media as proof he had reached "the roof of the world." However, experts and mountaineering officials have called the claim misleading.

“The video is very clearly not from the summit,” said Yogendra Tamang, Managing Director of Peak 15 Adventure. “It’s taken from a high angle, and there is no summit marker or the 8K Expeditions signboard visible—both of which are present in almost every genuine summit photo this season.”

Lakpa Sherpa, owner of 8K Expeditions, confirmed that Nessim turned back at the Hillary Step due to deteriorating weather on May 23. “He’s a strong climber, but unfortunately, he didn’t make it to the summit,” Sherpa told Everest Chronicle. “He is not on the official list of Everest summiteers this season.”

Lakpa, who served as the base camp coordinator for the season, remained at base camp throughout the expedition, overseeing the Everest and Lhotse teams of his company for several months. He assessed conditions to determine whether the summit push should proceed or be called off.

Despite this, Nessim insists that reaching just 100 meters below the summit was an accomplishment. “For me, I succeeded because I made 99 percent,” he said in an Instagram message to Everest Chronicle.

However, in his social media posts, he consistently claims that he placed the Algerian flag on the highest peak in the world.

Nessim blamed his Sherpa guide for the failed attempt, alleging that a faulty oxygen cylinder was the reason he couldn’t push further. “I was in great shape, even with the bad weather. The failure was 100% due to the Sherpa,” he claimed.

The Algerian climber is not new to high-altitude climbing. He summited Mount Lhotse (8,516m) last year with the same operator and has also climbed several other notable peaks, including Kang Yatse in India, Ojos del Salado in Chile, Mera Peak in Nepal, and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Still, Everest held special significance. Had he succeeded, Nessim would have been the first native Algerian to stand on the summit. In 2008, French-Algerian Nadir Dendoune became the first person of Algerian descent to do so. As it stands, Nessim is the only native Algerian to have reached 8,700 meters.

“The media in Algeria said I raised the national flag at the summit, which is almost true,” Nessim said. “In Algeria, we don’t have the same culture for mountain as in Nepal. For most people, stopping a few meters short still means you made it.”

The story has gained traction not only in Algeria but across the Maghreb. Nessim has appeared in interviews and YouTube videos, recounting his climb in vivid detail.

In a LinkedIn post, he wrote: “To give you just a little idea of the trials suffered—we faced a massive avalanche near Camp 1, a storm between Camps 3 and 4, a blizzard that nearly cost me my fingers during the final ascent, and an oxygen cylinder failure just meters from the summit.”

He thanked his sponsors and supporters for helping him realize what he describes as “unprecedented project in Algerian history.” His post includes only the video from around Hillary Step as evidence. He has no summit photos.

“I’ve applied for a summit certificate using this video,” he added. “Let’s see how the authorities in Nepal respond.”

To apply for a summit certificate, the concerned expedition operator must submit a briefing to the Department of Tourism, along with supporting evidence. This includes a summit photograph and confirmation from the guide verifying that the climber reached the summit. The Department then reviews all submitted evidence, conducts briefings, and, if necessary, interviews the climbers before issuing the certificate.

"I have not forwarded his file for a summit certificate. It goes against the norms and ethics of mountaineering to make such a claim. We do not support any kind of fake recognition," said Lakpa.