Do you dump ash or just keep tamping?

I dump it, usually twice, and sometimes, after a dump, I even get a little fresh tobacco on top (you know, those remains that were put to dry but didn't fit the pipe at first).

[Root]

When it really comes down to it the pipe will tell you if you need to dump. Tamping lightly is the key, pack any amount of ash too much and you lose air flow. Which snuffs the pipe and causes relights to be futile. Given this sometimes with deep bowls a dump at the mid point is needed.